Each and every day, this spider (a male in this case, females have green legs) will create a new orb shaped masterpiece, an engineering marvel that is typically near horizontally so that winds will not tear it apart. It is perfectly suited to allow larger prey to pass through it and prey of the perfect size to land, get stuck and vibrate the sticky strands of silk alerting this trapper. Popular in Florida citrus groves, they also frequent flatland meadows. Once the web is complete, the clever spider will rest on the underside of the hub where it can feel the next meal arrive. It does have a natural enemy, and that is the pupae of a wasp which will attach itself to the abdomen and literally suck the life out of this spectacular creature.
Nikon Z6, 28-300mm, 300mm, f/5.6, 1/500 sec, ISO 200
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