Dinner for One ~ Western Spotted Orb Weaver

This web appeared tonight outside the south deck door. Its HUGE. The stringers go 25 feet up into the trees. The spider isnt (fortunately) big... probably 1 1/4 inches across. However.. I was on the edge of my comfort zone and had the web touched me, my arthritic limbs would have found flight !!!!

One shot.. low light no flash.. and she started to go up above my head... I was GONE !!!

I hope she is gone in the morning !

EDIT:- She was gone this morning but I did see her scurrying toward the dead Black Walnut tree when I mowed the Inner this afternoon. !

Fred Fouarge, have particularly liked this photo

13 comments - The latest ones

Soeradjoen (limited…

Not your favorit I think.
They only eat insects, Pam;-))

11 years ago.

Pam J ^club has replied to Soeradjoen (limited…

John !!!!!!!!!

I dont know what idiocy got me out there taking pic of it :))

I have got to a point with them that I can do that.. or with the Black Widows we have here... dispose of them... and I am very careful not to put my hands in dark places as the Recluse spider is poisonous(as is the Black widow) ....but walking into webs at night... THAT is an "all bets are off" situation! :))

11 years ago.

Janet Brien ^club

Pam, this beauty is an orbweaver, very similar to Roscoe. It's likely a female at that size, and she'll either stay and make her egg sack and die, or maybe she'll find another place to make her web. Just know she's not dangerous! :) I do agree with you though...getting stuck in strong webs FREAKS ME OUT!!! I'm glad that both Roscoe AND Portia have their webs well away from where I walk. I can see them whenever I want but they aren't ever an issue! :)

11 years ago.

Pam J ^club has replied to Janet Brien ^club

Thankyou Janet...!! I knew she wasnt a "bad one" and I wont disturb her... They seen to like the trees at the south side... I see the webs at night and mostly stay well away ! This one was hard to resist . As long as we dont touch each other.. i will be fine !

Last year I was fascinated with a big yellow and black "garden spider" and even transfered her 2 egg sacks to safety when she died in the terrible heat.

Just as long as the ones with fur coats and hobnailed boots stay AWAY from me... we are good to go !!!

11 years ago.