The Amazing Striped Orb Weaver Spider!

[best appreciated at full size against black]

I think spiders are very cool! However, I can remember a time as a child when any spider terrified me. As I got older, I learned that spiders are actually more afraid of us than we are of them! Once I discovered that, I stopped being afraid and instead became curious but respectful. The only spiders I truly don't like are daddy long legs, which totally creep me out. Yet, I don't mind them in the house because they eat the insects that find their way in.

I was out in our large meadow looking for new flowers when I noticed the quick movement of a spider's web being disturbed when I accidentally brushed a strand. Oh boy!! Positioning myself with the sun at my back, I saw through my view finder that this was a real beauty!! Yet, I wasn't prepared for exactly how lovely it was until I saw it on my computer! It's become important that I know the name of the plants and animals that I photograph, so when I wasn't able to identify this species, I went over to Spiders .us and asked them for help. Within a day I had my answer, with a big thank you to Eric, one of the admins there!

The Striped Orb Weaver is part of the Aranneidae family, which is the most common type of spider which builds spiral or wheel-shaped webs. They can be found in meadows, forests and gardens, and range in size from very small, like this one, which measures only about 1/2" including his legs, to at least 5" in diameter or more. There are more than 10,000 species wordwide. Orb weavers are harmless to humans, rarely bite, and are non-aggressive.

If you would like to know more about orb weaver spiders, Wiki has a page here: Wiki: Orb Weaver Spider
To find out about identifying spiders in the United States, with pictures and information, I found a helpful chart here: Spider Identification Chart

I've uploaded two other pictures today and I hope you'll visit them too!

Thanks to all of you who have visited and have left comments and favorites! I try to go to all of your pages within a day or two and is a highlight for me to see your beautiful photography! :)

NOTE! I have finally updated my profile and I hope you'll take a look to find out a little more about me and how important all of you are to my experience here on Flickr! Janet's profile (sfhipchick)

This image was taken in April, 2012.