The butterflies aren't the only creatures that like hanging out in the bottom pasture. The tall weeds make for some excellent anchors for spider webs.
There's one humongous garden spider on the hunt there. I believe this species is an Argiope aurantia, commonly known as the Black and Yellow Garden Spider or Writing Spider.
Black and Yellow Garden Spider
She's a top notch predator. I say she, because the female spiders are much larger than males, growing almost an inch and a half long. Big Mamas! Males only grow about 3/4 inch long. This is definitely an Amazon, a female warrior of the species!
Breakfast!
Look at her carrying this big bug around! Must be some muscle power in those long legs.
Bug Toting Spider.
She obviously has no trouble getting that bug anywhere she wants it.
But what next? Oh wow, she's got a dilemma! There are TWO bugs caught in her web. Which should she eat first???
Spider With Two Bugs
Eeny meeny miney moe, wonder which way to go!
Thankfully, big as this spider is, she can't catch every bug and butterfly in the meadow!
Butterfly on bramble leaf.
This Caped Crusader can still fly safe, knowing it's too big for Miss Spidey's web!
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Lovely orb weaver! She seems to be pretty good at catching her dinner! Such pretty patterns on her.
She is a pretty thing, and spiders aren’t tops of my love list. I saw a 2nd one down in the meadow, so it must be a good spot for them.
Ack. Now, normally, I try to live peacefully and harmoniously with the spiders in my world…they are allowed to move around my house freely – as long as they don’t appear OVER my bed. That’s the one off-limits zone. 99% they are relocated to the lovely outdoors where, I’m sure, we are all much happier. HOWEVER, this guy you highlight today would FREAK me out if I saw him inside…or outside for that matter…he is beautiful, but I would not want an up-close-and-personal meeting with him…something about his long pointy legs….coloring, and SIZE!!!!
BooHoo! We don’t have any “Zipper Spiders” this year for some reason. We love the big girls and have even been known to feed them like goats at a petting zoo. The kids will go on a grasshopper/cricket hunt and then toss the poor thing to the spider.
Great pictures!! I’ve never known one to carry a bug around.