Jumper cliff hanger

[The Snark]

Looking out an upstairs windows I observed a jumper rappel from the corner of the roof. About 7 feet down, inches from the porch roof, the wind caught it. Out it goes, sailing like a kite, more or less sideways. Only about 5 feet away I can clearly see it freeze. A good minute later it started making frantic little movements. Didn't seem to know what to do. Tried to go back up a little, an inch or two, then the breeze kicked up more and it is swinging back and forth. This went on for about five minutes. I was about to go find a stick and help it to land when by dumb it swung far enough for the web to snag the porch roof. Instantly it dashed up the line - just a few inches and was onto the roof then zoomed under a roof tile. Enough excitement for one day, I guess. I'm going to assume jumpers are not big on ballooning and those carefree trips across the sky.








ppp

 

[DaveM]

Your story reminded me of the film "Cliffhanger" and like tales of extraordinary peril for humans. In other animals these struggles must be routine challenges. I suppose our brains have saved us from the law of the jungle and a daily live-or-die kind of existence, but our brains introduce new struggles.
I believe some Salticidae species spiderlings do balloon considerably, but adults less so, and I agree with your assessment that this spider was having difficulty achieving a good outcome. That you would be inclined to help such a creature, which has no capacity for gratitude and no mechanism to reciprocate, that must then be true altruism?
There's never a good Snark around when you need one

 

[The Snark]

That you would be inclined to help such a creature,

Maybe not as much benevolent compassion and altruism and pure knee jerk response. I was on the ropes hoisting a stokes up a cliff when I came down with the low blood sugar blues. Legs shaking and quaking, forcing myself to keep up with the rest of the team while I discovered how much lactic acid my leg muscles could build up. I wouldn't wish that slice of agony on anybody, human or otherwise,
(Snerk. Washing a Mars bar down with a bottle of ringers lactate. Yum.)