Nature Photo Challenge #29: Spiders
The photo challenge set before us on September 20 was Spiders and Their Webs.
I like to take pictures of spiders because they usually stay still long enough, and their behavior is interesting to watch.
Here is a Rabid Wolf spider strolling on the dock.
It went to the edge and leaned over as if contemplating the water.
A very common and noticeable spider is the Yellow Garden Spider, Argiope aurantia.
Yellow Garden Spider, Argiope aurantia, on a Sweet Gum leaf.
They stay in one place for weeks, in a huge web that has a large zigzag through it. There are different theories as to the purpose of the zigzag — perhaps it works to warn birds away, because a bird flying through could tear a hole in the web, to no benefit to the spider. I like how this picture shows the zigzag, and then a big mess in the middle, about which I have no idea of cause or purpose.
A messier-than-usual web.
One fall, I saw a very intricate zigzag in a web, but the spider in the middle was very small. It turned out to be the male Argiope aurantia!
Tiny spider in a big web marking, suspended between prickly pear pads.
The male Argiope aurantia.
I often see the egg sacs of these spiders, hanging in barn corners.
Egg sac of Argiope aurantia.
Its cousin in the Hill Country is the Banded Garden Spider, Argiope trifasciata.
Banded Garden Spider, Argiope trifasciata.
Their backs can have more variegated stripes than this one has.
View of underside.
Here is a group of some of my other favorite spider photos:
It turns out I have written about spiders a lot! Here are some of my favorite posts about them:
Green Lynx: The Next Generation
There are crab spiders in Life and Death on a Wildflower.
And I did a post on their webs on my other blog, where I talk about textiles (human-made or other): Nature’s Spinners
And just after I posted this, at our Hill Country place, I was replacing batteries in a game camera, when a very surprised Giant Crab Spider jumped from its resting place on the camera bracket, to my shoulder and down my arm. I flicked it off lightly onto the ground, but it thought my nice black jeans looked like a good hiding place. I got a few photos and then moved it onto the rocks. I think it just wanted to be added to this post!
A Giant Crab Spider getting my attention.
Love these cute spiders! Interestingly, I used to have the giant orb and the crab spiders in my gardens but it’s been a few years since I’ve seen either. I’m organic and have plenty of other insects, just not those two species and I’ve wondered why. Nice post!
So many fabulous spiders. The zigzag web is incredible 🙂
I’m sure your spider photos are terrific. But, there is a problem. I can’t go there to see them. 😦
Is something not working? Or do you just not like spiders?? ________________________________
It’s a spiders thing.
Wow! Lot off different spiders 🙂
these are great spider captures!
i remember the first time seeing that yellow garden spider, I didn’t notice it when I sat down on a lawn chair and I almost fainted when it finally caught my eye.
they do a big service for us though. so I really make the effort to be appreciative of them 🙂
I wondered if Jim would comment on this!! Lovely pix, but the zigzagged web is spectacular!
Super selection. Love the ziggyzaggy design!
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Yup, I guess everything is bigger in Texas. Your photos prove that. Great post.
Fabulous post.