Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Awesome Arachnid


What a difference a few inches makes.
I came around the corner quickly, and, had it not been for a slight breeze that rippled these silken strands, I’d not have seen her here, by the Hawthorn at the edge of the woods.
Stopped dead in my tracks by an odd looking creature in a wild get-up.
Pleased not to find her in my hair.

Her web, her masterpiece.
Spanning a two foot expanse, an orb—with 50 revolutions to its spiral if it has one.
She rests in the very center, shaded by the trees overhead, and scurries up a strand as I approach.


Her large spined black and white abdomen perhaps to confuse a would-be predator.
Though her flamboyant fashion sense, I question.
Black would be more slimming.
She must be the artsy type.


Spined Micrathena, female
Click photos to enlarge.


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11 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love spider webs, so intricate, yet so strong. Especially when illuminated by the sun, their beauty can be fully appreciated.

Beverly said...

Freakin' awesome!

Freakin....really!!!

:)
Beverly

bobbie said...

This is so lovely. I'm glad she ended up in front of your lens instead of in your hair.

RH Carpenter said...

Your photos and your commentary teach us to slow down, look carefully, and see what beauty is around that may be overlooked. Thanks for sharing.

Catherine said...

Very cool capture!!
Have a great week!
Cat

Pat - Arkansas said...

Fascinating! God makes creatures in all sorts of configurations. I've never before seen this type of spider. With an abdoment like that, I can just hope that she's very small. She's scary enough as it is. (Not a spider fan, except for Orb Spiders in which I find a strange beauty.)

Lisa at Greenbow said...

What a fun find. She is quite beautiful.

Tom said...

I'm not good near spiders at all.. whichis such a shame as I admire them from the artworks of their webs, and understand what a great job they do... but I give them a wide birth.

mrsnesbitt said...

Nina, I just need your e-mail.
Lots have posted on their own blog, re ABC but it is just for the comments I have set up the new blog.

Thanks

denise dot nesbitt at btinternet dot com

Anonymous said...

Great post Nina.Recently on my site, I've posted the Youtube Discovery clip that has a guy saying "I love Aracnids" as part of the I Love the World song.It's a lovely clip.There are some of us out there, who are fascinated by these little creatures.

Naturegirl said...

She is certainly a work of art up close ...eek but no in my hair!
Very interesting Nina..good eye.