Some people see spiders as creepy and others see them as cool. I am definitely in the latter category and was happy to spot this Black and Yellow Garden Spider (Argiope aurantia) during a recent trip to Jackson Miles Abbott Wetland Refuge.
I love the zigzag pattern that is a distinctive characteristic of the webs constructed by this species of spider and was thrilled that I managed to capture the zigzag in this shot. This spider is pretty common and has a lot of different common names including zigzag spider, writing spider, yellow garden spider, and golden garden spider. Zigzag Spiders can get to be pretty big and I have seen them capture large prey including, alas, dragonflies. It is amazing to see how fast the spider is able to wrap up its captured prey in web material. In case you have never witnessed the process, here’s a link to a 2017 posting that shows a spider wrapping up a freshly caught damselfly.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
I love the beautiful Argiope and admire it’s web-spinning ability. However, I don’t love getting a face full of that pretty web during early morning walks!
My fault. I’m looking off the trail for birds and bugs. I should pay better attention!
Wonderful photograph!
This is one amazing spider and web! Today’s post and the previous one listed have Benjamin’s name written all over them! He, too, is part of the latter group as often proved whenever he encounters a spider or its web. Be it on my deck or during our adventurings, he will bend down to examine the web’s construction and/or the spider. Thank-you, Mr. Mike!!
Thanks. Your info once again confirms that Benjamin and I are kindred spirits. I really do try to maintain the curiosity of a child, though quite honestly I was not quite as into nature when I was younger as I am now. 🙂
One of my favorites, also!
Namaste, Mr. Mike! It’s me, Benjamin! This spider is so cool! The web is amazin’. Gem showed me the poor damselfly caught in the other web. That is sad, but spiders have to eat too, right? The damselfly and bugs should be more careful and look out for webs. We saw a humongous spider web on Gem’s deck this morning. It had some bugs caught in it, just little ones. Thank you and Bye!
Thanks, Benjamin. I am glad you liked the spider–I was pretty sure that you would. I hope that you have enjoyed the summer and hope that you won’t be too busy when school starts to check out my photos from time to time.