While I was drinking my tea this Sunday morning, Chuck came in the house yelling, “You have to see this you have to see this”. I asked him what (because most of the time it’s something like a bird or rodent that’s not there anymore when I get outside.) He yelled “there’s spiderwebs everywhere“. I grabbed my cameras and followed him out. And I was blown away because there REALLY were spiderwebs everywhere. They were all covered with fine little droplets of water and created a strange fairy like atmosphere. I shot almost 100 photos and ended up with about 12 that were reasonably in focus.
The cross orbweaver spider was the creature responsible for all the amazing work. Here are a few interesting facts about him from the “Washington Nature Mapping Program”:
- The nickname “Cross Spider” comes from the white cross on the back of the abdomen.
- Orb spiders build a new web each day. They are said to eat their webs each night along with many of the small insects stuck to it. They have been observed eating the web within a couple of minutes. A new web is then spun in the morning.
- Spiral webs are built near gardens and lighted structures that attract flying insects.
- In late September, the females leave their webs and seek out protected locations to deposit between 300 to 900 eggs.
WOW just in time for Halloween!!.
Michael Martens
Great shots, Julie!
We have to dodge the webs as we walk the dog in our Portland neighborhood.
Julie
Thanks Michael, I’ve never seen as many spiders as this year!
Hiroki Nanko
Julie,
Thank you for the pictures. Spiders are artist and engineer !!!
Beautiful.
Hiroki
Julie
Yes, the perfect combo!
Jeanne Irvine
Wow Julie, Your blog and these images are so amazing. I never knew as spider would eat its Web! How fascinating and how beautiful these photos are. Thanks for sharing this beautiful story. Jeanne
Julie
Thanks Jeanne — I never kew a spider would eat his own web either — every day! I also never dreamed she would lay 300 to 900 eggs at a time — save me the time of decorating for Halloween! Say to Carlos for us!
Vester Marshall
Your captures are very revealing Julie. You sure have an eye for those special features within our construct that draws us to the value of such. Thanks for sharing.
Julie
Hey Vester — Thanks for viewing!
Mickel
These pictures are great! So cool!
Julie
Thanks Mikel. Good luck on your new space. Looking forward to seeing it!
daryl gardner
Beautiful. Incredible what be created by something so small . Thanks for sharing
Julie
Thanks Daryl — Hope you’re doing well. Sandy told me about all her birthday gifts from you. Sweet!!
Judi Schaefer
Your photos are stunning!! ❤️ Thanks to nature for providing such beauty and of coarse to you for the great photography.
Russ and I are doing well and staying healthy. I just want Covid to be over. I am soooo anxious to travel once again. By the time Covid is over we’ll be too old and feeble to make those long overseas adventures!!
Take care, stay well, keep photographing, and tell Chuck hi for us.
Judi Schaefer
Julie
Thanks Judi! We miss traveling, too. Our biggest trips now are to the park, grocery store and Home Depot. Say Hi to Russ for us.
Douglas C Holman
Julie- Beautiful picture of natures hardest workers. Hope you and Chuck are doing well. Really miss seeing your smiling face. Have you been doing yoga with Fran? Debi and I try to join her when we can. I can’t believe we’ve been on Covid alert for 7 mos.
I cleaned out my locker at the club, truly a very sad day. But it just didn’t make sense to continue to pay for something
I couldn’t use.
Yoga Doug
Julie
I quit the club, too. And miss everyone. Gosh with the bridge put on limbo status it almost doubles your trip. Best to you and Deb!
fran
Beautiful, Julie! The dew on the spider webs was so inspirational. I also got quite a few shots and posted them on my blog post yesterday. It’s a great time for photographing color. The fog and dew has added dimension to the magic of autumn. Miss you. Namaste, Fran
Julie
Nice Shots — guess they were everywhere around here!