spider

[WhiteRabbit]

I walked out to water plants a bit ago, and saw this spider seemingly suspended in mid-air! Obviously he was not, but had made a very impressive web, which unfortunately I couldn't really photograph. The web is anchored at the top from the beam near the front of the roof over-hang shading the porch. One side is "anchored" to the windchimes hanging near-by, but also to a hanging geranium more than a foot away from the main web. The bottom "anchors" are attached to a plant sitting a step down from the porch - maybe 8 feet or more below the beam on which the top of the web is anchored!
You should have seen me trying to water the plants without damaging the web! LOL

The spider isn't very large - main body about 1/2" maybe - I don't know what type of spider it is, other than they are common here. Don't usually see them as large as this one tho, and having never photographed one, nor had the opportunity to see one this size just hanging out as this one was, never noticed the cool markings on it's back ...

[Junebug]

Cool looking spider. Looks like he's got a cross tatoo.

[Connie Star]

Possibly an orb weaver, and probably a "she"

[WhiteRabbit]

thanks Connie - I was trying to identify it and came across "orb weaver" 0 thanks for the i.d.
June - yeah I liked that marking on it's back - looks a bit like a fleur de lis

[Eyebabe]

owe noes!
I don't like spiders much
But "protectors" come in all forms

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by Eyebabe

owe noes!
I don't like spiders much
But "protectors" come in all forms

hehe I've come a long way in my feelings about spiders - still can freak me out when I get surprised by one on me that is less than tiny!

I always appreciated a well spun web tho

[Connie Star]

Originally Posted by Eyebabe

owe noes!
I don't like spiders much
But "protectors" come in all forms

Look at spiders this way- they eat the pests.

[Connie Star]

A couple of spider pictures, both from Costa Rica.
The first is a female orb weaver with her much smaller mate.
The second is a close-up of a jumping spider. They have excellent vision- they ought to, with 4 pairs of eyes!

[WhiteRabbit]

wow! cool pix Connie!
I posted my spider pic on FB and was dis-heartened that the only two comments I got were "eww" and "yuck"

[Oscarman]

Very cool pics - I love to see spiders in my yard and especially clumps of little ones after hatching out. Excelllent pest control!

Here are a couple of 'friends' from my yard. I think that they are Jewel Spiders. Pic #2 is one with a tasty Cabbage White Butterfly dinner!