Female Western Spotted Orbweaver in her web next to the Great Salt Lake
Every summer I look forward to photographing spiders on Antelope Island State Park. Starting in July the Western Spotted Orbweaver spiders become more noticeable. They can be easily found in their webs that drape from plants, shrubs, posts, poles, and practically everything that doesn’t move.
Mule Deer doe with spiderwebs and a spider on her face
Or does move in the case of this female Mule Deer that happened to walk through a web near the marina on the island which promptly got stuck on her face.
While the Western Spotted Orbweaver spiders may be the most commonly noticed spiders on the island Banded Argiopes, Desert Orb Weavers, Cat-faced Spiders, Bold Jumping Spiders, Crab Spiders, Western Black Widows, Funnel Weaver/Grass Spiders, Wolf Spiders, and more can also be found.
The Antelope Island Spider Fest starts on August 2, 2021 and continues through August 7, 2021 this year. Activities include in-person Guided Spider Walks, Spider Crafts and activities, Spider Poetry, Scavenger Hunts, and an iNaturalist Observation and BioBlitz. Spider Fest T-shirts will be available for purchase at the State Park Gift Shop.
Because of the pandemic most of the festival will be virtual again this year. The Guided Spider Walks are by pre-registration only. Click here for information and to register.
There will be a Spider Fest Photo Contest too. Submit your photos to jparsonsbernstein@utah.gov by August 4th.
I’m honored again to be one of the judges of the photo contest for 2021 so go ahead and hit us with your best shots! I can’t wait to see them all.
Western Spotted Orbweaver female waiting in her web for prey
Bookmark this page to see updated Spider Fest activities or the Antelope Island Spider Fest 2021 Facebook page.
The Spider Fest is great for learning about the spiders that inhabit Antelope Island and how beneficial they are in our environment.
I hope to get out to the island soon to see and photograph the spiders myself!
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Western Spotted Orbweaver photos and here to see more of my insect and spider galleries.
Terrific shots of one of Nature’s great engineers. It is amazing how incredibly beautiful and intricate some spider webs are. A naturalist friend once described webs as “delicate dream catchers”. So true. Thanks Mia.
Congratulations on again being one of the judges. Beautiful spiders—have you seen any black widows on the island?
What a wonderful festival.
Ditto Dick’s comment! 🙂 I’m looking forward to your spider shots — you have such a wonderful way of capturing their beauty and strength.
Great shots!!