2011 Spider Season

It seems that the new spider season is upon us. There have been a few changes in my garden, most notably the sudden abscence of my first ever spider from my bathroom window. Having watched her every movement for two years or so, I woke up one morning and she was gone. No sign of where she went or what happened...just gone. So sad.
But, on the brighter side, there have been lots and lots of orb spiderlings around the garden and I'm sure that a couple are the offspring of my beautiful golden orb that went missing last year.
Looking forward to a summer full of spider excitement in the garden!

Some Garden Gems

Look at this little beauty. I watched this spider from my loungeroom window for months. She was always out on her web, night and day and I was always concerned for her safety. About a month ago, the day after I finally got around to taking some photos, I went out and she was gone! Agh! I miss her so, and still keep a hopeful eye out that either she or some of her offspring will turn up.

What an incredibly beautiful animal.

And then today I found this little baby spider..I think a garden orb.

so cute! :)

 

 

 

 

 

And finally, for today, a couple of leaf curlers..especially for Lynne:)

Badumna Insignis

For a few months now I've been watching a spider that made her home on the outside of my shower window. After doing the breifest of research I've discovered she's a Badumna Insignis. Whoda thought? This little spider has captured my attention and indeed my affection and now I'm being led to investigate what other eight legged creatures I have in my home and garden. Thank you so much to Lynne Kelly for being the ONLY person willing to discuss this issue with me with any real interest! Her blogg and the entries I made about my first spider encounters can be found at:

http://spiderblogger.blogspot.com/

Anyways, heres a few photos to look at.

To begin with, my bathroom spiders.

The babies with Mum. She's not coming out of her funnel for anyone! Such a shy spider this one.

Unlike this one that lives in my sons room..she is so extraverted and seems to actually like me photographing her. She never runs away, even if I thoughtlessly shine the light on her so I can get a better shot!

here she is, right out on web..

..is she watching me?

 I also have another one in the top corner of my shower window. She currently has an egg sac and if you look very closely, you can see she has two smaller visitors in her web. Males? If not, then what?