Sunrise: 06.18 Sunset: 08.02
This is Walnut whizzing back to her nest after my first flash beam hit her – she was a couple of feet away from the doorway at the time. She moved so quickly that I was fortunate to get this shot. I wish I had used a slower shutter speed to create a little movement blur, but I’m not good enough, or quick enough, to pull it off. A lost opportunity!
Whizzing Walnut.
The Wilden Marsh Blog 
She’s really pretty.
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Do you know, Debi, not many people say that! I think, though, some people are warming to the charms of Walnut. This might be due to my not publishing the really gruesome images. 😉
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Well, spiders do what spiders do! They have a specific role on this earth and they’re not shy about it. I have an intense respect for spiders, even when I see them feasting on a favorite insect. Once, I found a hummingbird moth dangling upside down in my lantana. Tugging it I discovered a bright yellow spider a tenth the size of the moth had snagged it. I was enthralled. And yes, I took photos. Must find them, really. You would be amazed…maybe. But I digress. This walnut is really cool and I like your images of her!
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I think what you need, Debi, is a Walnut of your very own. 😉
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……….I agree…..!
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I hope you will let me know if you are successful.
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Definitely…
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stunning Image
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Thanks.
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I can see that Walnut is fast becoming the star of your blog. An unexpected achievement by a spider! How long is her lifespan likely to be? Does she have many potential predators?
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You are right, Emily, Walnut is a star.
Depending on the weather, it is unlikely that Walnut will be performing for more than a year.
If she avoids being eaten by birds, or killed by a predatory or parasitic wasp, the first heavy winter frost will probably put an end of her. Walnut is a canny spider; she usually sits on a corner of her web and makes a dash for her nest at the first sign of trouble. She is growing rapidly now, and doesn’t venture onto her web until it is properly dark.
Hopefully, I will be able to photograph her until the end.
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I’ll miss her when she’s gone. Hope she makes some sons and daughters to replace her. Didn’t realise a wasp could kill her – she looks so big! Guess the wasp can keep stinging her.
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The predatory wasp will eat a spider, Emily. Parasitic wasps lay an egg inside the spider, using their ovipositor. Walnut is around 15 mm long. Lets hope a wasps stay away from her.
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Ooh she is smaller than I thought, she looks so huge in the photos. Stay safe Walnut!
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She is just an ordinary orb weaver spider trying to stay alive and make a living.
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