Return to Nephila in Mexico
[photo by Jorge Gonzalez]
In 2002, discouraged in a long trip with little to show for it, Juan Nuñez, Jesus Vargas and I decided to check out a little-visited archeological site about 200 km north of the Los Tuxtlas region. As we climbed the access road, we left the coastal grasslands and entered a relatively heavily used and rather sparce forest - filled with Nephila clavipes! After asking permission from the guards, we collected from the trees around the edges of this ancient site, and enjoyed the spectagular view of the blue Gulf waters.
One of my most extraordinary field experiences.