Silver-sided sector spiders (Zygiella x-notata) have made themselves at home here. Unless they're wrapping up some unfortunate victim caught in the web, they stay hidden away during the day. Consequently, the only opportunity to appreciate them is after dark, when they hang out in the middle of their webs, like this one.
The 'sector spider' part of the common name is because their orb webs typically have a couple of missing sectors. You can guess the derivation of the other part of the name.
[28 March 2014, Olympus OM-D EM-1, 60mm f/2.8 macro , ISO 200, 1/200 at f/8; diffused flash]
All content © 2014 Pete McGregor
What a stunner. I am so very often awed at spiders. They are frequently beautiful and their webs architectural wonders.
ReplyDeleteLike a piece of expensive jewellery.
ReplyDelete(No, I'll stick with the soft toys!)
EC, yes, the spiders themselves are beautiful, but they're hard to appreciate unless you see them magnified.
ReplyDeleteRR, I imagine they'd make spectacular pieces of jewellery, but the market might be small ;^)
Kia Ora Pete,
ReplyDeleteNot that the spider would appreciate it, but it would make an awesome looking necklace.
Cheers..
Kia ora Robb. So true — but not for arachnophobes ;^)
ReplyDeleteSpiders have been used as jewelry motif, often with a gem for the body. This one would be a pretty model, silver bead and amber bead strings.
ReplyDeleteZhoen, it's curious that they're used as models for jewellery when so many people fear spiders. A good example of conflicting emotions, I guess.
ReplyDelete