Recently, I photographed my first Spotted Orbweaver spiders in Arkansas. I used to photograph one of their relatives, the Western Spotted Orbweaver, in Utah.
Underside view of a Spotted Orbweaver – Canon R7, handheld, f9, 1/160, ISO 1600, Canon 100-400mm at 400mm, natural light
The first one of these orbweaver spiders I found on the driver’s door and side view mirror of my Jeep. I photographed that one with my cell phone. I didn’t much care for that setting.
The second one I photographed had built her web between two pine trees. I was much happier with that setting and took photos of her with the Canon R7 instead of my cell phone.
Spotted Orbweaver side view – Canon R7, handheld, f9, 1/160, ISO 1600, Canon 100-400mm at 400mm, natural light
Moving carefully around her large web gave me the opportunity to photograph her from several different viewpoints and perspectives.
Spotted Orbweaver in Arkansas – Canon R7, handheld, f9, 1/100, ISO 1600, Canon 100-400mm at 360mm, natural light
The morning light was challenging, but my gear was up to it. I wanted as many photos of her as I could take.
Spotted Orbweaver up close – Canon R7, handheld, f9, 1/125, ISO 1600, Canon 100-400mm at 349mm, natural light
The web of this spider was large, and I was very cautious about where I moved so I wouldn’t destroy it. This spider uses her web to trap flying insects.
Taking photos from the edge of her web gave me a few shots that made her look otherworldly.
Spotted Orbweaver close up in Arkansas – Canon R7, handheld, f9, 1/160, ISO 1600, Canon 100-400mm at 349mm, natural light
I am tickled to see these Spotted Orbweaver spiders and to be able to photograph them. I don’t really care to have them crawling on me, but photographing them delights me.
I’ve taken more images of this particular Spotted Orbweaver but I’ll have to share them another day.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my insect and spider images.
These wonderful shots remind me of Mammy’s great line from Gone With The Wind – when she’s scolding Scarlett for pining over Ashley Wilkes, “…and you settin’ there just like a spider.” Well, spiders may be scary looking and unwelcome as bed-mates…but their webs are marvelous feats of engineering. Thanks Mia.
Have one on my porch. For some reason the day you posted it the pictures didn’t show up. Went back to it today and it worked just fine. Now I will see if the carpenter bees will show up.
Well done. Spiders and their architecture fascinate me.