Opportunistic Spider; Unwary Moth

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It's been quite a while since I've posted here. So much rain and cold weather in our corner of the world has kept me from venturing out with a camera. Well, except on some walks - between the raindrops. One can see those photos on my Facebook page.

This sunny morning, upon seeing that one of my irises had bloomed, I pulled out my cell phone to take a few photos, noticed a small blue moth on the flower and thought, wow, lucky me:  a flower and a critter in one shot.

As I focused in, however, I saw that the moth was struggling and that's when I spied the spider.

Nature is not often kind, but she is always real.

(Click on the photo to enlarge)

© Copyright 2006-2017, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.

Orb Weaver in Orange and Black

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I was going to save this photo for Halloween but couldn't wait.  Just look at the markings on this orb weaver!  Look carefully and you will see her web too.  So far, I have counted 8 orb weavers in my gardens. That's 4 times more than last year. Yay!

© Copyright 2006-2016, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.

October, Hallowe'en, and Spiders, Oh My!

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The Hallowe'en month of October seems to be my month for discovering spiders.  And I've got a few photos coming that I took before the rains came down and washed the spiders out, along with their glorious webs.  Stay tuned.

 Copyright 2006-2016, Raven Ridge Gar©dens. All rights reserved.

Orb Weavers Return

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Hooray!  In keeping with the season:  The orb weavers seem to be returning in greater numbers than I've seen in the last few years.  I equate their presence with a more "normal" autumn leading to rain showers by October.  This weather pattern has been woefully lacking for several years, along with fewer and fewer orb weavers.  Now they are back and so is the rain: An inch or more in the last few days, setting us up for a cooler, wetter fall.  One can hope.

© Copyright 2006-2016, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.

Lots of Rain for the Beginning of Spring ...

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... and this little guy has taken shelter beneath a just-bloomed iris.

Welcome to Spring!

PS:  I'm posting a photo a day (on Facebook) for the next 7 (now 6) days, taking part in nature photography challenge.  You can check it out here on my Facebook page.  

© Copyright 2006-2016, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.

Calla Lily and Spider

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I've posted several variations on this theme over the years but never tire of taking photos of these intriguing spiders that change colors with the plant they are inhabiting at any given time.

They usually hide out deep in the stamen cup, waiting for unwary bees and bugs.

I can bring them out by gently blowing on them. They will come up the stamen ready to attack the interloper, but this one just kept on climbing up and out of the flower and was getting ready to slip from view when I clicked the shutter.

Ah, life in the garden.

© Copyright 2006-2015, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.

The Orb Weavers Are Back

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It's been far too many years since I've seen orb weavers in my garden.

I've been afraid they might not ever return.

This morning I was happily surprised to find this huge dew-laden web glistening in the morning sun.

Then I encountered not one, but two actual spiders merrily wrapping up breakfast and mending their webs.

Quite a cause for celebration.

And very well-timed for Hallowe'en.

© Copyright 2006-2012, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.

Shadow Shot Sunday - Spider on Daisy

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Shadows are often cast in the details of a photo only noticed after the shot is taken and then viewed with a more critical eye in one's photo software.  Here, I was just trying to get the spider to hold still enough for me to take a clear photo. The spider was not cooperating.  But the shadows were a nice surprise.

Take a look at more shadow shots at Tracy's blog, Hey Harriet.

© Copyright 2006-2011, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.

Shadow Shot Sunday - Spider Imitates Poppy

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It's been a struggle to bring you shadow shots these days. Shadows simply aren't happening in our fog-ridden climate at the moment. It makes me gloomy and cranky.

So I've pulled a photo out from a while back when the sun was shining and this gorgeous cameleon spider had turned yellow and was posturing for me to please pack up my camera and go back from whence I came, its raised legs looking quite like the stamens of the poppy.

I hope it's sunny in your garden.

Tracy has some fine shadow shots from photographers all over the world down under on her blog, Hey Harriet.  Go take a look.

© Copyright 2006-2010, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.

Autumn In My Garden #5 - Pink Mums

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I love chrysanthemums; the quintessence of Fall. The spider was so small that I didn't notice it until I saw it in PhotoShop.

Copyright © 2006-2007, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved

Ever Watchful

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I didn't see this one until I almost put my nose on it while smelling the rose. It saw me however and was waiting to pounce.

Copyright © 2006-2007, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved

It's A Hungry World Out There

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Next?

Copyright © 2006-2007, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved

You Can't See Me

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Copyright © 2006-2007, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved

Gertrude and the Spider

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I caught this "chameleon" spider blushing pink on
a Gertrude Jekyll rosebud. Over the next few days
as the rose continued to open, the spider seemed
to have taken up permanent residence.
Or as much permanence as a rose can give.
(Click on photos to enlarge)