Lessons on Leaf Bugs - Wordless Wednesdays

It was a typical Saturday morning.

My toddler excitedly watched her siblings at play down our yard on the trampoline from the safety of our balcony. Next thing I know, she was hurriedly presenting me with my shoes after managing to put on her own.

"Trampowine! Pwease Mummy!"

I had no choice. (Or rather, who could resist?) I would have to escort her down our sloping yard to the place of all the fun. Bad luck housework plans!

After a brief jump, eight year old Ruben spotted himself a leaf bug, helplessly stranded by the edge of the net where the leaves often collect.

Ruben has been showing a real appreciation for tiny creatures of late - especially spiders. On any given day, he can be seen outside plucking Huntsmen spiders from beneath the bark of our various gum trees, always handling the huge spiders with his bare hands!

A few weeks back Ruben spent an afternoon with his Dad in our shed building a spider enclosure from an old drawer and some netting. In it, he placed his first Huntsman, proudly caught by himself after spending two whole days hunting one down. (He's so experienced now that he can catch one in minutes.)

Ruben feeds and waters his pet spider daily. There has even been a trip to an exotic pet store in the city to purchase some live crickets - the perfect large spider food.

Ruben spends his time online researching his catches. We're now all quite up to speed on Huntsmen spiders. Though large, they're actually quite docile and easy to handle. (Don't attempt to handle them if they appear threatened however as they can bite in defence. Just in case you're willing...)

Leaf bugs? - No problem; pretty, delicate and so well disguised.

Ruben showed true leadership and expertise in his field as he held out his catch carefully, so that his younger brother and sister could take turns petting and discovering.

I am so proud of the passion and confidence that he radiates in these images.

...Now to deal with the issue of the Huntsmen spiders which come home frequently in

the school bag!

 

Have you got a keen bug catcher in your life?

 

Recent posts on Six Little Hearts you may have missed:

 

 

How a Selfie With Aussie Grapes Can Aid HeartKids Australia - The #Caesarselfie Campaign

 

 

Hippo Blue Review and Giveaway

 

 

The Cadbury Drinking Chocolate Almond Fudge Cake (Flourless)

 

 

High Tea at The Gables

 

 

My Cubby

 

 

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