I have always been fascinated by the intricate patterns of spider webs and I love to attempt to photograph them. Of course, the first challenge is to spot them. In the past I have had some success in early morning hours when the webs were covered in dew—see, for example, my posting from September 2012 called More spider art. In more recent years, though, I have most frequently encountered spider webs when I have run into them stretched head-high across trails.
I was pretty excited therefore when I spotted this backlit spider in its web last Thursday as I was exploring a forested area in Prince William County. I loved the way that the light was shining through the body of what I recognized to be an Orchard Orbweaver spider (Leucauge venusta). I toyed around with ideas on how to compose the image and decided to include only the upper half of the web—I wanted to make sure that the viewer’s eyes would be drawn to the spider.
Orchard Orbweaver spiders are quite common in my area and I encountered another one later that same day and captured the close-up image below that shows some of the spider’s beautiful coloration. I know that some people find spiders to be creepy and threatening, but hopefully these spider shots can help to convince at least a few of those viewers that spiders can also be quite beautiful.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Amazing photos!
This is one I can identify. The colors and pattern are unmistakable.
The shape is pretty distinctive too. I remember how excited I was the first time that I looked really closely at the bright colors and patterns of these cool little spiders.
Spider season is just starting in the swamps too. I need to get back to checking the trails closely again. I was almost a casualty yesterday 😂😂.
Woo-hoo! You did an excellent job of highlighting the beauty and awe in these spiders, Mike. I love the web photo and you’re right, you drew my eye instantly to the spider.
Shooting directly into the light can be challenging, but I love the look it gives, especially to subjects that are translucent, like butterflies and some spiders, like this one.
I always wonder how they manage to do this….
Well-captured, Mike!
NICE pix. I love spiders… I know, weird, right?! Naw, they eat yucky bugs lol Blessings and honor, Christine C Sponsler
Wonderful lighting! Lucky you!!
I try attention to the light–though usually I try to have it behind me rather than in front of me.