photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
Monte Stevens | all galleries >> Almost Photo-a-Day >> yearly_archives >> 2015_pad_gallery >> august_2015 > Suspended in a Web
previous | next
12-AUG-2015

Suspended in a Web

I found this leaf on a walk. It caught my attention immediately from a distance. The web it is tangled is one strand that was stretched across a wide opening. The strand going to the right is about 6 feet long and the strand on the left is about 3 feet long.

Small spiders use silk threads for ballooning, an inaccurate term for the dynamic kiting spiderlings (mostly) use for dispersal. They extrude several threads into the air and let themselves be carried away by winds. Although most rides will end a few yards later, it seems to be a common way for spiders to invade islands. Many sailors have reported that spiders have been caught in their ship's sails, even when far from land. The extremely fine silk that spiders use for ballooning is known as gossamer. In some cases, spiders may even use silk as a source of food. (Wikipedia)

FujiFilm X-T10,Fujinon XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS
1/105s f/4.0 at 50.5mm iso200 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
share
Type your message and click Add Comment
It is best to login or register first but you may post as a guest.
Enter an optional name and contact email address. Name
Name Email
help private comment