Northland Nature: Fishing spiders locate prey with feet

Northland Nature: Fishing spiders locate prey with feet

The day was hot when I wandered through the woods to visit a small pond. Unlike some vernal ponds, this one does not lose all its water in the summer. The water is shallow, but clear, and when I arrive and go along the edge, I see that much is happening on this summer day. Swimming about are some aquatic critters. I recognize the water boatman putting out its legs to swim in an appearance of boat oars. Nearby is its cousin, the backswimmers. Liv…