As Darlene mentioned in her blog, this past week we became emotionally attached to a crustacean, a beautiful Giant white land crab we dubbed "Ms Thing". We came upon her crossing Highway 4, near Boca Chica Beach, last Tuesday night during a light rain. Trying to catch her was no easy feat and I'm sure if Darlene had gotten it on video, we would have been hard pressed not to win the grand prize on America's Funniest Home Videos. Of course, I probably should have used something larger than a 16oz deli cup to subdue something that big. I was finally able to get her into the back of the Jeep but she decided to cram her body between the seat backs. I decided enough was enough and coaxed her into a 33 gallon garbage bag for the quick drive back home. I guess it's a good thing the agents at the Border Patrol checkpoint DIDN'T search the car. Imagine their surprise if they had grabbed the suspicious looking black plastic bag in the back of the car!
Wednesday morning was spent at the zoo where Darlene and Patty took LOADS of photos of this amazing animal, in the rain, no less. Brian and I became crab wranglers as they took photos of Ms Thing in the herpetarium's photo set.
Later that afternoon, after an emotional tug of war aimed at Ms Thing's safety, we drove back out to the salt flats to release her, where we found her the night before. Even as she walked towards the shallows, I felt a sense of sadness and worried that she was too visible from the road. We watched until she disappeared from view.
A Closing Shot as Ms Thing Returns to the Shallows
13 comments:
Ah your time with this lovely lady, may have been short, but what a good time she and you all had.
Isn't she lucky she came across you guys and not a huge truck!!!
beth
Wow, what an impression she made if both you AND Darlene blogged about it! True animal lovers are like that....we get attached to and find beauty in things that other people find creepy and gross. Don't worry, I think she's beautiful, too.
Exactly how big is she?
Mmm... Would go good with the stick of butter I captured a couple days ago!
Beth & Leo - I think she knew we were not going to harm her. She posed like a true pro when Darlene and Patty were taking photos in the "set".
Derek - Glad you enjoyed her and thanks for the comments. I'd like to see colors of land crabs in your neck of the woods next time you're near the beach.
XXXX - Remember that trip you and Big Daddy took in the PT Cruiser? She filled up a 19 liter plastic box in much the same way!
25or6t04 - I hope some big crab enjoys YOU with a stick of butter!
Jim -- I don't think that crabs are into butter. ;-)
Baby - Then I hope the crab enjoys him with a nice basil tarter sauce!
Somehow ...I just can't imagine crabs being that vicious. ;-)
I must be premenstrual because I feel a little choked up over a crab....
Heaven has a special place waiting for the animal lovers. It's so wonderful to see something positive. Hope ya'll are both well :)
Pete - I think Midol is good for that! Thanks for the comment man, I know you'd love her too!
L.A. - Thank for the kind words! You know, a nice land crab wouldn't be NEAR as much trouble as those cats of yours!
I wish I could join y'all in this emotional outpouring, but crustaceans just don't do it for me. Now, if it had been a reptile, arthropod, bird or mammal..........
I guess I'm just a Southwestern Dude. I feel like I'm missing out on a significant part of the animal kingdom.
Weatherdrip a.k.a. Border Cowboy - If only you'll think twice about ordering crab legs at Red Lobster, we've done our job!
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