More big spiders

As I've recently said, fall is big spider time in the garden, and there are two that I've been watching and photographing.

If you're not a spider person, you may not want to continue reading -- but I encourage you to give it a try to see some of these fascinating yet creepy creatures.

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Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on your opinion of spiders) there are two large spiders living and building webs on my deck right now: one on the stairs, and between the table and the railing.

These guys seem to build a new web every night, and will often move a few feet when they do. This one has been in the same spot for several days though. This is the most awkward spider stance I've ever seen:

Apparently it eventually worked though, because he was feasting later in the day:

The second spider seems to be a better location scout, as its had more luck with food. Even though I find these to be fascinating creatures and I know that they're very beneficial in the garden, eating at least as many pests as any of the other beneficials like mantises and lacewings, these seem to be dining on bees only at this time of year. I guess I don't blame them, but we gardeners do so much to attract bees to our gardens, it makes me a little sad.

These three were in what I assume was this guy's previous web from the day before:

There was a third spider in the front yard with its web between the maple tree and the house -- I almost walked into that one -- but it seems to have moved on and I wasn't able to get any photos.

Both of these seem to be related species to the first one I posted about. They all have the "cartoon animal" markings on their abdomens. I should figure out what species they might be when I have some time.

For now though, I'll just observe and enjoy...

...and try to keep from walking into their huge webs when they move them into a walkway.

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