La Junta, Colorado, USA. Back to La Junta, CO for two weeks after spending a short day there in July 2016. Our target was cocoons of Aphonopelma hentzi, a mygalomorph spider. After a few failed cocoon collecting methods, we came home with over 1,000 embryos at every stage of development we could hope for! Thank you to the American Arachnological Society for helping fund this trip.

The view from the edge of Picketwire Canyon. The Jeep looks so small.

Prime territory for A. hentzi burrows.

A. hentzi burrow. Looks like somebody is home judging by the silk cover.

An adult A. hentzi female at the mouth of her burrow.

Making friends with non-chelicerate arthropods.

A. hentzi adult female.

Opening the first cocoon!

Yes, we did drive halfway across the country with a Leica.

Downtown La Junta. Don't let the evening light deceive you; it was 103 degrees when this was taken.

U.S. Post Office, La Junta, CO. On the National Register of Historic Landmarks.

When you have the pleasure of toting 2 x 2.5 gallon jugs of water, you know you're set to go Aphonopelma hunting (and that you're getting a great forearm workout).