July 10th, 2007
star-bellied orbweaver
What do you think? Beautiful? Ugly? Fantastic? She seems fantastic to me — perhaps looking a bit like a mysterious, spiny asteroid in a sci-fi flick (click on photos for larger views). I found this Star-bellied Orbweaver (Acanthepeira stellata) hunkered down among the top leaves of a milkweed after following a strand of her tripline web to see where it led. She was quite large, her abdomen being over 1 centimeter across. Her behaviour was quite sedate and she remained perfectly still while I shot a few images from different angles. There were other nice spiders in the garden this morning as well. I’ll post some more photos tomorrow.
July 10th, 2007 at 9:17 pm
Bev, I’ve decided you must live in a very, very unusual place or you’re far more observant that I am or both. What an interesting set of photos! I’ve been away a bit, with only a brief glimpse at your blog lately. I shall now look for some time to go through the posts I’ve missed and look more closely at those I’ve just breezed through.
July 10th, 2007 at 10:11 pm
John – Over the past 2 or 3 years, I seem to be seeing more species of insects, birds and plants here at the farm. Our “thirty year plan” seems to be yielding results as far as improved wildlife habitat. I can barely go for a walk around the land without seeing at least a couple of new species of one creature or another. It’s quite a good feeling.
I dropped by at your blog and read the note about how busy you’ve been for the past while. I hope that things ease up a bit soon.
July 11th, 2007 at 6:15 am
Fantastic! Good eye to pick this out as a spider. I’ll be watching for it now–thanks!
July 11th, 2007 at 7:06 am
Definitely Star Trek material. If I saw that, I would not even recognize it as a living thing. I have just gone through your recent posts and every one is so interesting. Like John said, it doesn’t seem like you live in the same country as I do.
July 11th, 2007 at 7:20 am
Yes, I have to go with fantastic, and fantastic shots, as well.
I tried to get a picture of a medium-sized black widow in one of our pitiful flower gardens, but she was very shy and retreated to her hiding place when I got near. That’s been my luck with spider photos lately.
July 11th, 2007 at 7:47 am
Pam – I almost missed this spider the first time I saw it yesterday as it was sitting so still between the top leaves of the milkweed. It actually looked more like a dried leaf or some kind of seed rather than a spider. If I hadn’t been following its tripline, I never would have found it. Also, if I hadn’t know that such spiders exist, I probably wouldn’t have given it a second look.
–
Ruth – As mentioned to Pam, I might easily have mistaken this spider for some kind of seed or curled up leaf if not for already knowing what this species looks like. I guess that’s another of the “tricks” of finding insects — to become familiar with what might be out there… especially the things you’ve never actually seen before. I have found one of these spiders before, but it was a male and quite a bit smaller and nowhere near as spiny. As for “living in the same country”, I always think that the world of insects is like a whole “other planet” that we barely know. The deeper I delve into their study, the more fascinating it all becomes.
–
Mark – Thanks! This was one of those spiders that’s a bit difficult to photograph. Black widows are difficult too as I find they are weighted in such a way that they turn over and hang in a way that doesn’t make a very pleasing composition. Also, as you say, they are one of those spiders that quickly retreats into its refuge. The funnel web spiders are like that too — very difficult to get a nice shot of one.
July 11th, 2007 at 10:02 am
Someday, if you haven’t already done so, maybe you could tell us what you planted to attract all these incredible spiders into your spider garden. You do have such an inspiring diversity of species there. We’re spending more time outside, despite the +90 degree temps, painting and getting the house ready to be listed, so we’re seeing a lot more insects.
July 11th, 2007 at 10:31 am
Bev! It’s an Ankylosaurus! Holy Kamoly. Very cool.
July 11th, 2007 at 2:39 pm
The first thing I thought when I saw it was a character from Star Wars!
July 12th, 2007 at 8:13 am
robin – I’ve written a bit aout plants here at the farm in the past, but I’m just working on a post that will address the question of plants to encourage biodiversity. Regarding the painting – I’ve been wondering how things are going and when you will list your place.
–
Cathy – Yes, it does resemble some of the armor-plated dinosaurs, doesn’t it? (-:
–
kenju – She’s definitely got that “other worldly” look about her.