Silken Strings and Spiders

Not all spiders can be called cute and most all spiders spin webs. This very small Goldenrod Crab Spider however, is an exception. This spider relies upon camouflage and instead of spinning a web, it just sits and waits for it prey to come along. It is often white but can change its colour to yellow also. Its name 'Goldenrod' gives us a clue as to what yellow flowers are a favourite of this tiny predator.
Delicately intricate and skillfully woven, spider webs have an elusive transparency about them, "now you see them, now you don't". Some mornings, while the sun is still low in the east and the dew still dampens the grass, the beauty of these delicate silky orbs can be seen adorning the spaces between the branches of our Cherry tree. However, when searching for them in late afternoon they often seem to have entirely dis- appeared with the diminishing of the strong early morning light. Often while walking in the woods, the transparency of these webs catch me in stride, unaware of their presence strung between trees and branches, until I feel the silken threads stretch and break across my body.
Not all webs are constructed in the same way. When searching for other styled webs they were not difficult to find. To the upper right is a dewy construction hidden in the grasses waiting for prey. To the upper left is a 'basket' looking sort of web found among low bushes and wildflower stalks.
A unique web is that which is woven by the Black and Yellow Garden Spider. This spider weaves a zigzag stitch in the middle of its web that reminds me of a similar stitch made by a sewing machine. However, not all garden spiders structure their webs in the same way. This garden spider above, with the beautifully designed cross on its back, weaves a silken orb without the zigzag stitch in it.
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The 'spiders' are my contribution today to Camera Critters. To see other participant's photo contributions just click HERE or on the Camera Critters logo on the side panel.