More nests

Back in December I posted a story with a few shots from my new camera.

One of the shots was of a Snt Andrews Cross in her web.

Well she, like Charlotte in that famous story, has gone now and has left her legacy in the form of egg sacks....pictured below.

I have taken a shot from different angles so that you my appreciate the unusual shape and construction.

The following shot is what happens after about 2 months........

The Snt Andrews Cross spider did well this year in her attempt to continue her species....producing 3 such nests.

Nests

Robertson, having only been converted from a dense rainforest some 150 years ago at the most, still has some strange creatures come to visit your home. The spider, below, is not so strange. It is a common species in many surrounding areas, though I thought the nest was worth a photograph.

Suspended from my ceiling, and about 70mm in diameter, it is host to the female and her young.

I must admit a fascination for arachnids, though my distaste for mozzies is what keeps her there.

:)

Of spiders, flies and the testing of a new camera

Any new piece of photographic equipment can be a little daunting and it is important to know the gear you use reasonably well, so that you don't miss that fraction of a second that turns a good shot into a great one - so I was out in the backyard today seeing what was on offer when I found the following spiders.

Firstly, a Snt Andrews Cross, showing the two types of web it can produce in its classic orb with an "X".

The little spider wrapped in a leaf is in fact a jumping spider,

and it is the first time I have seen one make such a home.

I would guess that it was a female in her nest.

The fly, pictured below, was pushing the cameras macro feature to its limit as it was only 5mm long and extremely flighty

There are many insects out at the moment, allowing a wide variety of spiders a plentiful supply of food.

The Copperhead at the poolside today was a little camera shy and so will have to wait for another day

...perhaps tomorrow morning as things warm up.