This photo was taken only an inch away from the spider web
I took this photo while only an inch or two away from this spider web. I had just been out for a run in the middle of the summer. I had finished one of my typical 3-6 mile runs that I like to do early in the morning before work. Looking at the timestamp on this photo, it was only 6:38 a.m. I was already back from my run and had grabbed my camera to take photos of the spider webs.
These spider webs are likely present every single morning throughout the spring, summer, and fall. I remember that it had been a particularly humid and foggy day. This must have presented the perfect environment for the drops of water to be suspended from the spider webs. There were dozens of these webs along our fence that encompasses our backyard.
This is one of those photos that I greatly appreciate using a digital camera. I took close to 50 photos from different angles and of different webs. They each have their own uniqueness to them, but I like this one the most. I love the way that you can see the arc of the silk cascading in size as you move to the center of the web.
This spider web likely came from an orb spider. There are many orb spider species native to Indiana, and they are known to maintain this classic spider web pattern. This particular spider was likely remaking a new spider web each day. This is a common behavior of orb spiders. Orb spiders are also known to decorate their webs with intricate designs. This is thought to help attract insects.
Spiders are known to produce up to seven different types of silk. The different types of silk are used for different purposes. Some are meant to be elastic while others are meant to be sturdy. The silk itself is not sticky! There is actually a polymer adhesive that the spider secretes along the silk that provides the stickiness needed to ensnare the spider’s prey.
Spiders can produce seven different types of silk!
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