Our Resident Spider

A few weeks ago, we suddenly discovered this huge web right outside our kitchen window on our back porch. A huge female golden silk orb-weaver had decided that that was a good spot to make her home. I say "huge" because for a spider she is...at least to me. Stretched out she probably measures a good three inches if not more. But isn't she beautiful?

We first discovered her when she had caught a cicada in her web. It was one of those gross and fascinating things to watch - I couldn't take my eyes off of what was happening...

Since then we've seen her molt and shed her exoskeleton.

I took these photos right after she had slipped out of her "skin" and was literally hanging by a silk thread.

A little later, fluids had filled her legs once again and she was all normal-looking again.

A few days later, miraculously, a tiny male spider appeared on the scene. Can you believe the size difference?

We've seen her eat a few times since then (like here a damsel fly), but never see the male eat anything. He must dine on air or maybe little flies that get tangled in the web. Or maybe he's too lovesick to eat... :)

A couple of days ago, the female once again shed her exoskeleton (that's it to the right of her) and for a day or so, the male got really close to her (he's on her belly in the photo below). It might have been mating time. We aren't exactly sure...

As soon as she'd move her legs, he'd dart to a safe distance. Apparently, these male spiders have figured out how to relax the female enough to make it out alive after mating.  In the photo below, he's above her at a safe distance...

As of this morning, the male is still around and not much is happening. The web is huge and magnificent and seems to have several layers to it. I watched her weave part of it and am awed by the perfection of it.

I studied up a little on the spiritual symbolism of spiders and of course they remind us of weaving our own stories into our lives and watching out for the webs others weave. Just from watching the female, I get the sense of great creative power, endless patience, and quick action when the opportunity presents itself. And from watching the male? Persistence! And a good dose of caution...

We can't wait to see what happens next! Our very own nature channel...

Linking this to:
Camera Critters
I Heart Macro

❧ Silke

Faithful Visitors

Every day for the past many years, a pair of red-bellied woodpeckers comes to our backyard feeders. They are so used to us and our animals that we get to watch them extensively and up close.

And every year they bring their offspring to feed it. This, too, we get to watch up close and today I took some beautiful photos for you!

Thank you so much for all your thoughtful comments on my last blog post when I was wondering about continuing to blog. I've decided to keep it going for now because I still enjoy it, but more than that I find it useful for myself.

I mentioned in my last post that maybe I needed to "talk" less, but it's that talking to myself that I do here that is the most helpful to me. I really write much of this for my own benefit, to write out my thoughts, to figure things out.

This creative journey is still new to me. I am still in the experimental phase working on all kinds of things, with different media in various styles at the same time, something many artists do when they are in school. And writing about it helps me sort it out.

What gets me into trouble is when I try to figure out what might be interesting to you. Because I can't. I need to focus on what's fun and interesting and helpful to me and then if you like to visit, that's great!

Part of my blogging dilemma also stems from the fact that my relationship to my blog has changed. As with everything that takes on a life of it's own, it never stays the same and sometimes I look at it and wonder if I still like what is happening.

For now I do. I'll keep my focus on what is useful and fun for me to blog about.

And I hope you'll continue to visit when you find the time. And that you'll find my offerings interesting as well...

As I wrote this, the red-bellied woodpecker dad and the baby were at the feeder again. They are so beautiful to watch!

Linking to:

Saturday's Critters

I'd Rather be Birding

Happy first day of summer!

❧ Silke

Backyard entertainment

Daniel and I are easily entertained and the other night we both had to laugh out loud at this squirrel that absconded with one of Winslow's milk bones. 

Winslow was not amused...

Wishing you a day filled with delicious treats!

❧ Silke