{{I'm at it again–be sure to click "The Stuff of Dreams and Nightmares" for MORE pictures of spiders in webs ~ Argiope aka writing spiders aka garden spiders.}}
It is pure joy to my person when one of my children excitedly runs into the house and with great enthusiasm spouts, "IF YOU WANNA TAKE A PICTURE OF THE CRAZY-BIGGEST SPIDER I'VE EVER SEEN, GET YOUR CAMERA–NOW!!!".
Nothin' says "I love you, Mama" like them knowing what makes my heart flit and flutter, even when it's of the arachnid variety. If you searched my blog (hmmm, I DO want one of those little search boxes…suggestions?) or if you're a long-time reader, you already know I have a macabre fascination with spiders and snakes and creepy crawlers of every flavor. Mice and rats are another story. And roaches. THOSE are the bane of my existence. When I get to heaven, God has some 'splainin' to do.
But I digress.
Really, truly, with GREAT (albeit, rather questionable) pleasure, I bring you Charlotte and her web–
But wait! That's her underbelly and the center of her web obscured a "good" view. OF COURSE, I had to walk around to the other side, wade through waist-high bushes and photograph her dead on.
Aren't writing spiders amazing?? Why do they do that little zig-zag stitch? Is it for aesthetics? Strengthening their web? And why only in one place?
I wasn't stuck in her web, but she held me captive. Can someone PLEASE explain to me why I will get inches away from all manner of insects, etc., when I'm behind a camera lens? This makes no sense to me. If I happened upon her the way Thomas did–chasing a basketball and almost falling into her web–I'd be screamin' like a girl. They woulda heard me three counties over.
But…nooooo! I just kept taking pictures, fiddlin' with the settings on my SLR.
The photo shoot apparently wore Miss Charlotte OUT and stirred up quite an appetite (either that or she was giving fair warning to me if I got any closer). She curled around her innocent victim and I'm pretty sure proceeded to suck his brains out.
Which was such a thing of wonder, she had me waxing poetic. Let's close on Mary Howitt's classic tale (and oft mis-quoted) verse, The Spider and the Fly.
Will you walk into my parlour? said the spider to the fly.
Tis the prettiest little parlour that ever you did spy,
The way into my parlour is up a winding stair,
And I've a many curious things to shew when you are there.Oh no, no, said the little Fly, to ask me is in vain,
For who goes up your winding stair, can ne'er come down again.
I'm sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high
Will you rest upon my little bed? said the Spider to the Fly.There are pretty curtains drawn around; the sheets are fine and thin,
And if you like to rest awhile, I'll snugly tuck you in!
Oh no, no, said the little Fly, for I've often heard it said
They never, never wake again, who sleep upon your bed!Said the cunning Spider to the Fly, Dear friend what can I do,
To prove the warm affection I 've always felt for you?
I have within my pantry, good store of all that's nice
I'm sure you're very welcome, will you please to take a slice?Oh no, no, said the little Fly, Kind Sir, that cannot be,
I've heard what's in your pantry, and I do not wish to see!
Sweet creature! said the Spider, you're witty and you're wise,
How handsome are your gauzy wings, how brilliant are your eyes!I've a little looking-glass upon my parlour shelf,
If you'll step in one moment, dear, you shall behold yourself.
I thank you, gentle sir, she said, for what you 're pleased to say,
And bidding you good morning now, I'll call another day.The Spider turned him round about, and went into his den,
For well he knew the silly Fly would soon come back again
So he wove a subtle web, in a little corner sly,
And set his table ready, to dine upon the Fly.Then he came out to his door again, and merrily did sing,
Come hither, hither, pretty Fly, with the pearl and silver wing,
Your robes are green and purple, there's a crest upon your head
Your eyes are like the diamond bright, but mine are dull as lead!Alas, alas! How very soon this silly little Fly,
Hearing his wily, flattering words, came slowly flitting by
With buzzing wings she hung aloft, then near and nearer drew,
Thinking only of her brilliant eyes, and green and purple hueThinking only of her crested head, poor foolish thing!
At last, Up jumped the cunning Spider, and fiercely held her fast.
He dragged her up his winding stair, into his dismal den,
Within his little parlour, but she ne'er came out again!And now dear little children, who may this story read,
To idle, silly flattering words, I pray you ne'er give heed.
Unto an evil counsellor, close heart and ear and eye,
And take a lesson from this tale, of the Spider and the Fly.
Oh–I almost forgot: Carmi's (Written Inc.) theme for this week's Thematic Photographic is "nature". How kind of him to select one that so perfectly suits yesterday's photoshoot! Click here for details.
From a distance, I can appreciate her beauty. Kind of. But this kind of spider gives me a serious case of the willies. I think I had too many close encounters as a child…running & playing, falling into bushes, spider inches from my face…you get the picture.
EWWWWAGE!!! I had to go screaming right past those pix. Sorry. The curious part of me at least had to take a look, albeit a very FAST look. I really cannot do spiders.
Although once, I actually shot a spider eating a bug in its web. There was blood. It was gross. But I knew my son would’ve disappointed to miss it (he was at the park). So I did the good mom thing and took a picture just for him. But I sure don’t look at it. Ha! Ha!
YES! I ABSOLUTELY do the same thing! I am completely mesmerized by spiders, lizards, snakes, bugs of any kind, etc. I know their names, what they do, if they’re dangerous, etc. (It’s how I dealt with my fear of all things creepy-crawly) My friends think I’m a complete NUT! (But I’m the first one they call when they need an identification of some unwanted creature 😀 )
We have those same spiders in our shrubs in front of our house – zig-zaggy webs and all. They’re called Garden Spiders, or Argiopes (a MUCH prettier name). They take out all of the unwanted pesty creatures that destroy our pretty plants. Although I think I’d lose my mind if I saw one crawling up my leg – they’re pretty scary looking.
Nice pictures – they could be in a field guide!
What a great post! Your photos are wonderful. Spiders are awesome.
Nice series of photos! I found one of these in the bushes in front of my house last week while waiting for my cousin to show up. I didn’t have time to get the nice sharp pictures you got, so I scrapped the effort.
Now I have a ‘lovely’ wolf spider to offer, instead…
–smarmoofus
You do have some gorgeous arachnids in Tennessee!
These ROCK! I’m attracted and repelled as well!
You’ve encouraged me to pull my own spider pic out of the archives. I was walking with my wife on a downtown Montreal street when we came across a huge, hairy example, just hanging from a web.
The light sucked – it was nighttime and all I had to work with was a dim incandescent bulb in a nearby display case. The spider was also quite skittish, not letting me get too close before flitting away. But I ended up with something salvageable that fits the nature theme quite nicely. I hope.
Nature is an amazing thing, no?
Very cool pictures. Last week or was it earlier this week…cannot remember, I posted a picture of a spider on my blog and a few people were very grossed out.
I’m sorry, but those pictures will haunt me for the rest of my life. They are beautiful in an isn’t-it-amazing-what-God-makes kind of way, but truly terrifying to this arachnaphobe.
What is a “writing spider” anyway?
AWESOME shots Robin! I’d be a little creeped out getting close to them with or without a camera. On our last trip to Hawaii (or was it two trips ago?) just outside of our resort were dozens of this type of spider and they ARE huge. Enormous webs to match. Nicely done. Now I keep thinking I feel something crawling on me. Thanks a lot. 🙂
Looks like a nice garden spider! It will eat a lot of bugs for you, so they’re good to have around. We used to have a big one outside our bathroom window, but it’s been gone for years now. Maybe a bird got it. It’s a tough world out there!
WHOA!! That’s one big Arachnid! Not that I like them or anything. I mean there webs make you freak out when you run into them, there not that pretty. But man there webs can be beautiful!
Brilliant! Absolutely Gorgeous!
Miss Charlotte is a scary looking broad! But you did justice to Carmi’s theme this week!!!
that is one great spider, Robin.
when you come to Canada schedule time for a peek under my back deck.
a spider lives there that even scares the neighbourhood cats.
and me.
cheers,
gord h.
What a beautiful spider…. the colors are so striking. Great photos!
COOL SPIDERS! And cool that your kids are in tune to your love of photos 🙂
Carmi brings a lot of us to see cool things. Nice post.
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She really is beautiful. I’m no fan of snakes and lizards, but spider are another story. I think it’s because I read Charlotte’s Web at an early age.
very pretty, never seen one like this before, the zigzag is amazing, our spiders here in Ireland are very tame and lame in comparison:)
That is the creepiest, prettiest spider I’ve ever seen! Spiders creep me out like nothing else, but I am also intrigued by them. Amazing spider and web!
I am glad you are getting close so I can sit back and enjoy. What a pretty little thing you captured
I am glad you are getting close so I can sit back and enjoy. What a pretty little thing you captured
I had to zippity zip through the picture because they gave me the CREEPS!
However, I’m very okay with the Spider eating the fly…I hate them so. BUT, the flattery was her downfall. I pray I don’t come to the same end.
love these sort of spider pics. the fuzzy furry spiders creep me out, but those pretty ones, and their webs are entrancing. my pics never turn out clear (camera operator error). 😉
Theres a legend with Writer Spiders. Supposedly, if they hear a name and they write it in their web, then the person will die. But if one is found near a house, then the house has good luck.