Orb Weaver Web

September 13, 2018

Orbweaverspider_IMG_0036 (3)

Photographer: William Schultz 
Summary Authors: William Schultz; Jim Foster

Featured above is the distinctive web of the spiny backed orb weaver spider, spun in the leafy canopy of a small tree. Its densely-weaved outer ring directs insects toward the open center, where the spider awaits -- at the lower right center on this web. A bit of morning dew on the web, illuminated by a ray of sunshine, captured my attention. The web's iridescent colors result from diffraction of sunlight by the tiny dew droplets that have formed along the silken threads. Photo taken on July 16, 2018.

Photo Details: Camera: Canon PowerShot G15; Exposure Time: 0.0040s (1/250); Aperture: ƒ/2.8; ISO equivalent: 250; Focal Length: 30.5mm.