Posted on April 13, 2014 By Michael Griffiths
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.
Category: Spiders, Wilden Marsh Nature Reserve, Wildlife Photography Tags: Canon 500D DSLR camera., Canon EFS 60 mm f2.8 macro lens, Kidderminster, Macro photography, nature, Nature Photography., Nuctenea umbratica., Photography, Spider, Stourport on Severn, Wilden Marsh, Wilden Marsh Nature Reserve, wildlife photography, Worcestershire Wildlife Trust
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She’s really pretty.
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. 😉
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!
I think what you need, Debi, is a Walnut of your very own. 😉
……….I agree…..!
I hope you will let me know if you are successful.
Definitely…
stunning Image
Thanks.
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?
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.
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.
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.
Ooh she is smaller than I thought, she looks so huge in the photos. Stay safe Walnut!
She is just an ordinary orb weaver spider trying to stay alive and make a living.