tkfranzen
"Jeweled Orb Weaver"
I believe this is an Argiope trifasciata, or Banded Garden Spider. Female, I think. I had been looking for dewdrops to photograph among the cattails and other brush when my friend Joy saw me and asked "Find any interesting orb weavers?" I immediately shifted gears, she and I both stumbled onto spiders of interest. This one was jeweled in dew drops. My spider book doesn't cover these and the internet doesn't offer a lot of detail. I'm going to need a better book! What I have found is that they are fairly common throughout the continental US, especially during late summer/early autumn. So check your weeds, you may have one or more of these beauties lurking about. Photographed during my amazing trainee weekend with the New York Master Naturalist program. Arnot Forest, NY. Four images stacked to capture focus throughout the body, legs and web. September 23, 2018
"Jeweled Orb Weaver"
I believe this is an Argiope trifasciata, or Banded Garden Spider. Female, I think. I had been looking for dewdrops to photograph among the cattails and other brush when my friend Joy saw me and asked "Find any interesting orb weavers?" I immediately shifted gears, she and I both stumbled onto spiders of interest. This one was jeweled in dew drops. My spider book doesn't cover these and the internet doesn't offer a lot of detail. I'm going to need a better book! What I have found is that they are fairly common throughout the continental US, especially during late summer/early autumn. So check your weeds, you may have one or more of these beauties lurking about. Photographed during my amazing trainee weekend with the New York Master Naturalist program. Arnot Forest, NY. Four images stacked to capture focus throughout the body, legs and web. September 23, 2018