Spider Webs
In which I awoke this morning to a meadow full of wonder.
Hi Everyone. Thanks for checking out my substack. September is a wonderful time for seeing spider webs. When the day starts out foggy and everything is covered in droplets like it was earlier today, the meadow next to our house comes alive with ghostly apparitions shining brightly in the morning sun.
The cobwebs near our house are made by orb spiders, so called because their webs are circular in shape. This is not the first occasion I have grabbed my camera and donned a pair of shoes I don’t mind getting thoroughly soaked to have a closer look.
I love how dew drops hang like pearls from the smallest of threads. Impossible geometry hangs like clothing on a line, gently moving with the slightest breath of air.
This morning I was immediately rewarded when a Monarch butterfly joined me down in the field. At first I startled it, but then after flying above my head for a minute or two it lit upon some wild rye grass, holding still for me while I captured its portrait. Even the monarch is covered in dew. Perhaps it was sunning itself to dry its wings when I came upon it.
Even a few blades of grass can hold a generously sized cobweb. Anything with vertical structure will do.
Closeup of an orb weaving spider wrapping a recent catch, perhaps saving it for later.
It is hard not to admire the engineering involved in these works of art. And yet, they are not the slightest bit sentimental. These are like fishermen’s nets. Practical tools designed for efficiency. Neither will they go way as the sun burns off the dew. They simply vanish into the daylight.
These spiders looks menacing at such high magnifications. I used to be afraid of spiders. Living by a meadow has cured me of that particular malady. These are largely harmless creatures that mean us no harm. I do my best not to destroy their hard labours as I move about.
A spider doing what it does best, weaving its web. Does it whistles while it works?
I have many more images to post from the first two weeks of September, but I’ll leave it at that for now. There are a few more spider web shots in my notes from the past few days. Have a look if you like this sort of thing.
Until next time, take care and go walk in nature. I leave you with a song my friend Steve sent me today that encourages you to do just that.
Lovely article! Big fan of the 6th photo in particular
Fantastic photographs here John, congrats on a great post!