Scary spider
Aug 16, 2019 06:10:54 #
Madagascar Golden Orb Spider
Lincoln Park Zoo
Chicago, IL
Madagascar Golden Orb Spider by Paul Sager, on Flickr
Golden silk spiders, much like other species of orb weaver spiders, rely on their webs. They use it as a home, to collect food and water, and to breed. The web also collects rainwater and morning dew, providing a water source for the spider.
The spider's 'dragline' strand is so strong that it can trap small birds, which then destroy the web by thrashing around. To avoid such damage, the spiders leave a line of insect husks on their web, similar to stickers on glass doors.
Madagascar Golden Orb Spider
Lincoln Park Zoo
Chicago, IL
Madagascar Golden Orb Spider by Paul Sager, on Flickr
Golden silk spiders, much like other species of orb weaver spiders, rely on their webs. They use it as a home, to collect food and water, and to breed. The web also collects rainwater and morning dew, providing a water source for the spider.
The spider's 'dragline' strand is so strong that it can trap small birds, which then destroy the web by thrashing around. To avoid such damage, the spiders leave a line of insect husks on their web, similar to stickers on glass doors.
Madagascar Golden Orb Spider
Aug 16, 2019 06:18:03 #
Great shots. I hope that's not "actual size." : )
It's funny how different species of spiders build different types of webs. He looks like a sloppy builder.
It's funny how different species of spiders build different types of webs. He looks like a sloppy builder.
Aug 16, 2019 06:18:04 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
Madagascar Golden Orb Spider br Lincoln Park Zoo b... (show quote)
Paul, excellent set and details.
Greg
Aug 16, 2019 06:29:23 #
Thank you Greg, Jerry! This actually is close to actual size. The zoo's entry for this exhibit says the female is 4+ inches in size. I rented a 500L for the Chicago airshow this weekend. I wanted to visit my favorite aviary at the LPZ, but the exhibit was closed yesterday when I arrived. There's some more birds in the Africa exhibit where I needed to walk past these free-ranging spiders in their exhibit. I've never seen the spiders at this almost eye-level position, so I set-up the tripod and spent an hour trying to get a good version, chatting up the crowd as people flowed through wondering what I was focused on.
Aug 16, 2019 06:59:04 #
Aug 16, 2019 09:41:05 #
Spiders, particularly at 4+ inches, wouldn't be my preference however, those are great shots. Fascinating that they "leave a line of insect husks on their web" to ward off birds. Thanks for sharing ... great photos & information as always.
Aug 16, 2019 10:05:16 #
Aug 16, 2019 10:33:49 #
TBerwick
Loc: Houston, Texas
You haven't lived until you're walking thru the woods before dawn and go through the web of a really large spider draped through the bushes. You know he's around, somewhere, but don't if it's on you or the shrubbery. Great photos, as usual.
Aug 16, 2019 15:29:10 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
Madagascar Golden Orb Spider br Lincoln Park Zoo b... (show quote)
Lovely shots and interesting info .
Aug 17, 2019 05:39:22 #
Aug 17, 2019 06:00:05 #
Aug 17, 2019 08:04:28 #
Paul - excellent job, as we have come to expect! Some of these large spiders in the "New World" rain forests of Central and South America weave a thick line of webbing down the center of the web - biologists theorize that it is to let bats with their sonar think that there is something solid there - otherwise they sense an insect moving in the web and fly through the web to grab the insect, thus destroying the web that took so much work to build!
Aug 17, 2019 08:12:57 #
Aug 17, 2019 08:33:37 #
As you are noted for, the photos are outstanding and the narrative really sets the stage and provides a great understanding of the target. Thanks for the post!
Aug 17, 2019 08:43:43 #
Wow, good shots CHG CANNON
Coincidentally I got a few shots of the same spiders in the Brazos Bend State Park in Texas just last Monday. Yes they get quite large. They look deadly, but I was told no threat to humans.
Coincidentally I got a few shots of the same spiders in the Brazos Bend State Park in Texas just last Monday. Yes they get quite large. They look deadly, but I was told no threat to humans.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.