Whilst we might consider this spider's web a thing of beauty because it poses no threat to us as humans, it is actually a deadly weapon artfully deployed with the intention of causing death for the spider's prey.
This particular web was photographed on my recently-pruned Minarette apple tree, high up in the flight path of plenty of flying insects, some unlucky ones of which you can see trapped in the "net".
The moisture in the air on a foggy morning makes the threads glisten like tiny pearls.
But this photo demonstrates unequivocally the deadly nature of the enterprise:
I love that third photo with the water droplets twinkling on the web.
ReplyDeleteI like spiders so you can post as many photos as you like - lovely web photos - I'll have to get up earlier.
ReplyDeleteI don't know whether you remember seeing the film we took of a spider building its web - it's on my website from the wildlife tab. It was fascinating.
DeleteEnchanting. Not only that, I'd be happy to see spiders.
ReplyDeleteAmazing photos !!! Karen (http://theallotmenttimes.blogspot.com/)
ReplyDeleteLovely picture. Amazing how such a beautiful net can be created by such a scary creature. I prefer pictures of worms... They don't bite!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos Mark. Isn't it funny how one minute there's nothing there...then whoosh...a web appears overnight.
ReplyDeleteWe're having a record year for spiders apparently here in Melbourne.
I know there's certainly plenty around this house! =D
Amazing pictures. I wouldn't mind pictures of the spiders too, especially if you were to photograph them.
ReplyDeleteI love spiders webs - just beautiful aren't they. Apparently they are stronger than steel would be at a the same thickness - there's a lot of research trying to work out how they do it.
ReplyDeleteOh brilliant photos. I love spider webs too. I hate it when I walk thru one that was so carefully crafted overnight. Not because of the sticky feeling, because they are such wonderful things.
ReplyDeleteI agree, third photo is really good. The only comfort I get when it comes to spiders is knowing they're catching insects I don't want on my plants!
ReplyDeleteLovely photos...I especially like the second and third ones. They remind me of intricately woven strings of pearls.
ReplyDeletePhil is SO NOT a fan of spiders. One year we had these pointy ones (ugly points all over their backs)make webs all over the place and when you accidentally walked through them they bit you. Not poisonous or anything but the bites hurt.
ReplyDeleteThey're brilliant photos, Mark. I'm not a huge fan of spiders but it's amazing how they make their webs.
ReplyDeleteDelicate deadly lace...
ReplyDelete