Sunday, September 14, 2008

Cover Me




Maybe it is just me, but I find these webs endlessly fascinating -- they appear suddenly one morning and are gone by noon.  Who or what makes them?  Wouldn't it be wonderful to actually see them being created?  They seem so fragile, and yet so strong.

15 comments:

Louise said...

Gone by noon? Wow! The only thing I've seen make similar webs (but not on the grass) as Wolf Spiders which last for days and weeks. They are usually in a corner by a flower bed or the garage, though.

Really beautiful and interesting capture!

Abbie said...

Happy sunday Dear Mary!
Oh, that web was made by a funnel spider I think. See the dark circle in the web? That is where she sits. (down in the funnel) They are fabulous home keepers aren't they? I, personally, am TERRIFIED of spiders. Yeeaahhahccchh..
xoxo~
Abbie

Shimmy Mom said...

Lovely shot. Spider webs have always amazed me too. They are so beautiful, as long as you don't walk through one and then they are annoying and creepy. lol Have a great weekend.
*hugs*

hele said...

Beautiful. It looks so delicate yet so strong. And I love the little black hole.

Anonymous said...

I often find myself wondering the same things - what insects create them..and where do they disappear to?? Excellent!

Anonymous said...

Really beautiful - like a big tent for a spider grad party or wedding or something - who knows what's really going on under there...

Anonymous said...

I always wonder the same thing, Mary. If they happen at night, would shining a light on them make them NOT happen? And if we could watch, would we actually SEE it materialize before our eyes? So many questions, so little time!

Country Girl said...

Mary, this is an orb web made by a hunting spider called a funnel web spider or a grass spider. I just learned about it here:
http://www.pestproducts.com/spider-webs.htm#Orb
They wait in the funnel and when they feel the vibration of their prey, they jump out, bite it and carry it back into the funnel. Ick! The web is made from a non-sticky silk.
Awesome shot! Much better than the one on the site, if I must say so.

Country Girl said...

Oh, sorry. I see now that abbie already told you that. Sorry to sound like such a know-it-all. or something.

Mary said...

Kate, you don't sound like a know it all and thanks for the info! Abbie, thank you as well. :)

Anonymous said...

OH, I hate spider webs. Hate them. I know some people think they are so pretty, but they creep me out. My dh loves to photograph them, but me? I stay way away from them.

Minna Dyer said...

Where do you find such great webs???
Fascinating.

Anonymous said...

great capture! i live in the land of spider's although it seems i am more focused on preventing them living in my shoe for the day than for their beautiful webs. you have some marvelous photos here on your blog :)

Sassy said...

I ♥ this picture...kinda wish sometimes I could spin a web of protection around my children when I need to just like this...

2sweetnsaxy said...

I find webs fascinating too. That black and white on my blog with the water drops you commented on was actually water on a spider web. This is a great shot and love that you got the opening where the spider is probably hiding.