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The number of emails we've had
from people in the United States trying to identify the
Black and Yellow Argiope or
St Andrew's Cross spider (as we call our
Australian variety) is quite astounding!! I've had a lot of questions about where the Argiopes are going to, as
some people have noticed that theirs has disappeared. Unfortunately this
lovely spider only has a short life span and once she has produced one
or more
(usually no more than 3) brown, papery egg sacs, she will die. The egg
sacs are roughly round in shape and up to 25 mm in diameter; each
contains 300 to 1400 eggs. She attaches her egg sacs to one side of her
web, close to her resting position at the centre. Each female will watch
over her eggs as long as she can, but will die in the first hard frost,
if not before. The eggs hatch in Autumn ( fall), but spiderlings stay in
the sac during winter and emerge in spring. (Milne and Milne 1980,Heiber
1992, Faulkner 1999). The St Andrew's Cross Spider
doesn't have dangerous venom. Its bite causes a mild local pain.
There are also other varieties of Argiopes - The
Banded Argiope and Silver
Argiope being two that have been sent in frequently. There are links
to photos of these and other argiopes below as well. |
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BLACK & YELLOW ARGIOPES |
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13 March, 2007:
Here is an interesting photo of a spider. This spider
lived in our front bushes last summer. He was very
calm and hungry. He stayed in the same bush all
summer!! Beautiful, beautiful spider!! You may use this
photo on your website. Michelle
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14 December, 2006:
Photographer: David Earl
I know you don't identify
Spiders...but any idea on this one??
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5 November, 2006:
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1 November, 2006:
Hello Glen, We have
watched this spider since she made our new porch her
home. She came here, eventually laid her eggs here and
then died here. We made her our little pet and named her
"Miss Spider" but also called her "Charlotte" since we
are from Charlotte, TN. Hope you enjoy her as much as we
did. Danna Nicholson, Charlotte, TN
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Reply: It is some sort of
argiope, this is its underneath side.
1 November, 2006:
Any idea what type of spider
this is?
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14 October, 2006:
Photo for your collection...Memphis , Tn.....Argiope
Aurantia
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8 October, 2006:
Hi Glen, Thought I'd send you a
couple of pics of spiders I found in
Balboa Park in San Diego. The first
looks like a black and yellow argiope,
and the second looks like a silver
argiope. The second pic is a fairly good
shot of the web, too. Thanks for such a
neat site; I have lots of spiders in my
backyard, and your site helps me figure
out what many of them are. Traci
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8 October, 2006:
Hi, found this one in my garden in
Lexington Park, MD, USA. I found your
site and was able to quickly identify it
as a St Andrew's Cross spider. She's
been around for a least a month and is
really beautiful. Looks like one of her
legs is missing though
Cheers-
Laura
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30 September,
2006:
Stumbled on to your website while trying to
find out what type of spiders I had taken
photos of. Attached are what I now know are
a pair of garden spiders and a marbled orb
weaver spider. I would enjoy sharing this
photos on your website. If anyone wants a
copy, please let me know.
Dan Myers
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29 September,
2006:
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29 September,
2006:
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27 September,
2006:
Dixie S
Click for a larger photo.
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21 September,
2006:
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21 September,
2006:
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21 September,
2006:
Hi, This beauty was outside my window at work and we
happen to be a photographic company. I took this with a
Tamron 180mm Macro on a Fuji S-3. We are located on Long
Island NY and from what I've seen on your site, they are
not really popular here. Pat
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21 September,
2006:
Hi Glen -You have, by far, the creepiest website I have ever
seen! We had what
I now know to be an Argiope garden spider move in to the garden
this summer. She's been quite busy building webs all over the
bushes and side of the house. Thought I'd share a picture of her
snacking on a grasshopper. Spidey took a break from dinner so I
caught a better picture of her. Completely Creeped Out in
Eudora, Kansas |
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21 September,
2006:
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18 September,
2006:
Click for a larger view. |
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17 September,
2006:
Glen, I just love your website! My husband bought
me a new camera where I can now take macro shots of bugs,
etc. I have been shooting all weekend so far. Thought
you might enjoy this close-up of "Charlotte's Eyes."
Thanks! Sheila Bragg
Savannah, GA
USA
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15 September,
2006:
Attached are some pictures of a
BLACK & YELLOW ARGIOPE that we found
outside of our office here in Becker MN
Boaz Erickson
Construction / Sales Manager
Structural Buildings, Inc.
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15 September,
2006:
Hi glen, I had this big girl making a
home in my back yard. Thanks to your site, and a
friend on another board where I originally
posted these pics who found it and sent me to
your site, I have decided (I hope I am right)
that she is a Black & Yellow Argiope or “garden
spider”. Her web was across a corner of my
fence. It sconnected to the fence on both sides
about 6 feet from the corner. Big web for a big
girl. I live in Wilmington , NC USA .
Anyone can use these pictures for any purpose
they would like, as long as credit is given to
the source. Thanks, Robert McCracken, Leland ,
NC
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15 September,
2006:
I took these pics today... I read that Wolf Spiders
don't spin webs, but it seems to me this spider is a
Wolf spider... Can you help me identify it?
Thanks!!
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13 September,
2006:
I took this picture in my flower garden. I actually
have these huge flowers pop up, for the last two years
anyways. I was out there picking off the dead flowers
and almost stuck my hand in this web. SCARY!!!!!!!!!!!
Well thank you for running your site. I googled spiders
and found your page. The site is very helpful. Everyone
wanted me to kill it, but hey it killed three or four
bees or wasps so I think he deserved to stay alive. Well
I just wanted to let you know I have several pics of
this beauty. We live in Burton, Michigan
Thanks again, Judy Smith
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13 September,
2006:
Black & Yellow Argiope up against the house in Mexico,
N.Y.
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12 September,
2006:
Hi-this is a great website! My 9 year old daughter took
this picture of our "pet" and won a blue ribbon at the
county fair! What I am wondering about is the location of
where she has decided to make her egg sacs. Her web is on
our front porch which faces the West and we live in the
country. This area pretty much gets drilled with wind all
winter. We would like to see more of these next year. Is it
safe to move them to another location after the frost and
when she is gone? One other question. We don't see a male
around the web area. Does this mean that the eggs are
infertile? Any help you can give would be great! Thanks!
Kathy Dominique
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12 September,
2006:
Hi Glen, Like many of your visitors I was scared to go
near this thing. I found it perched on my back yard fence
right next to my entry door (Ontario, Canada). It is an
amazing looking spider but appears quite deadly due to the
bright colours. Do you know if the female will be close by
and if they will stay long or move away?
I am an avid photographer so upon seeing this mini
monster I went for my camera and tripod. Got quite a few
nice shots of him digesting some fly by dinner. You
are welcome to use my photograph. Fairly large file, so make
take a while to load.
Regards, Colin Thomas.
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7 September,
2006:
Hello,
This little fellow is living in my back yard next to a
garden shed. I'm located in Southern NJ, USA
A Black & Yellow Argiopes.....CORRECT?
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7 September,
2006:
Glen,
Here are a couple pictures for your collection. The first is
a Jewelled Spider and the second I believe is either a St.
Andrews Cross or a Black and Yellow Argiope? These are both from
West-Central Georgia.
- Jason
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5 September,
2006:
Hello!
I found this particular spider hanging out on a wishing well
we have near our driveway. According to your very
interesting website, this is a Garden spider (Black and
Yellow Argiope). We live in Monticello, New York and the
pictures were taken today, September 4, 2006. Any
information you could provide regarding the type of spider
this actually is would be greatly appreciated. Do with the
photos as you wish. Regards Glen Pagnozzi
Monticello, New York |
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5 September,
2006:
I currently live in Goose Creek, South Carolina and I
can honestly say I have a phobia of spiders. Thanks to your
web-site I was able to determine what type of spiders I came
across and if they were harmful or not. Here are a couple of
photos to add to your collection. Thanks for a very informative
web-site. Sal
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5 September,
2006:
This is a cool picture of a Banana spider i saw when
i went fishing the other day.
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4 September,
2006:
Hello Glen, I live in Manheim , PA. Ran into
this one as I was walking out my back door. She spun her
web across the top half of the doorway, at head height.
Never new we had spiders this big around here. Thanx.
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4 September,
2006:
Hi Glen found this one behind my house in
Myrtle Beach , South Carolina , USA . She sure is
pretty. No sign of an Egg Sac yet, but I would guess
that it is still a little early by the info on your
website. I located you through a google search for:
Spider Identification South Carolina. I find it
interesting that this particular spider type can be
found in so many corners of the world… Joel
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3 September,
2006:
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3 September,
2006:
Hi Glen - I came across your wonderful spider site. I am
sending you two of
my photos for your site. They were both taken in Peralta New Mexico,
twenty
miles south of Albuquerque. The first, taken today, is I think a
argiope spider, and the second I believe is a black widow.
Sue
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3 September,
2006:
Hello, I live in canton Michigan and I have a beautiful
spider on my front porch that I am not sure of, I am not a spider
person at all! But for some reason I like this one, so I need to
know if it can stay or go. Thank you Beth from canton
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3 September,
2006:
GOOD AFTERNOON, SEPTEMBER 2ND, 2006. FOUND THIS GUY ON
MY FENCE POST. GOTTA TELL YOU--OUT OF ALL THE SITES THAT I
LOOKED AT TO TRY TO FIND OUT WHAT HE WAS, YOU HAD THE MOST
DETAILED DESCRIPTION. HE MEASURES APP. 21/2 INCHES LONG.
DUE TO THE WAY MY FENCE & MY NEIGHBORS FENCE ANGLES, IT WAS HARD
TO GET A STRAIGHT SHOT ON HIM. FRANK PATE
EAST RIDGE, TENNESSEE (CHATTANOOGA)
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27 August, 2006:
just some pics of a recent guest to my back porch near my
watermellon plants hope you can use them on your site. black and
yellow spider. |
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27 August, 2006:
We found this guy living in the evergreen bushes in front of the
house. we think he may be one of those golden orb weavers, but
not terribly certain. The zig zag web design just above and
below him here are curious. He really seems to like being fed
flies and crickets.
Shane
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27 August, 2006:
Here are a couple of photos of garden spiders. In one, the
spider is eating what looks to be a wasp, in the other nice
suspended-on-web one, the spider is also having a bite if you look
close. I'm a professional photographer and could do prints or
something if people are interested. Mike |
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27 August, 2006:
Garden spider pictures for you.
Click for a larger view. |
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27 August, 2006:
Hi Glen, thanks for getting back to me. Not sure why the pics
didn't come through, but I'll try resending them...
Regards
Nelson |
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27 August, 2006:
this is what I have all over my house can you tell me what
they are? Connersville, In. |
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27 August, 2006:
Hi there. We were walking through some trees beside a sideroad
up here in Ontario (Collingwood/Meaford area if that's of any
import, 200 km north of Toronto). And my friend almost walked RIGHT INTO this spider and spiderweb!
It terrified us, the size of this thing, the web was the largest
spider web I've ever seen for a spider around here. Scary all all hell if you ask me. If you could help identify
this spider, I'd greatly appreciate that. Thank you. Feel free
to use these pictures in any way you wish. Jamie
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23 August, 2006:
Please see the
attached picture. I
took it today. I'm
guessing (hoping)
that it's a black
and yellow argiopes
(based on the
pictures I saw here:
http://www.spiderzrule.com/stand.htm).
It was about an inch
long body. Man,
freaked me out to
think that these
things live so close
by.
Thanks,
Evan
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23 August, 2006:
Could you tell me
what kind of spider
this is by any
chance? I live in
East Providence,
Rhode Island.
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23 August, 2006:
I was doing some yardwork when I came across
this guy, and I nearly had a heart attack.
Thanks to your great website, I was able to
quench my curiosity about what type of spider it
was. I assume the tiny spider is the male; am I
right?
Bonnie from Greenville, NC
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23 August, 2006:
I took a picture of what I believe to be a Black and
Yellow Argiope spider outside my home in Steelton,
Pennsylvania (adjacent to Harrisburg). I gather from
some of your other posters that these are not that
uncommon in Northeastern U.S.
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23 August, 2006:
Glen,
Great site, I have been watching this spider for a few
weeks. It has built an amazing orb web appoximately 3ft
round on the outside of my dining room window. I was
unsure what it was to begin with, but I was able to
match it up easily with the pictures of the Black and
Yellow Argiopes on your site. I live in Southern
Alabama, and I thought you might like a picture of it,
it is large, but very detailed.
Joe
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18 August, 2006:
I walked by my garden only to find a very large black
and yellow spider that I knew nothing about. As a result
I surfed the web and came upon your website where I was
able to learn an ample amount of information about the
Argiopes Spider! So, thank you for making the site and I
have attached a picture of the Spider that caught my
eye! Bye Erin Barbee
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17 August, 2006:
Northeast Ohio, larger than a quarter and builds it's web
in tall grass about 3 feet off the ground.
Joe
Thompson, Oh.
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13 August, 2006:
Yes, we have some whoppers way up north here too. I saw
this out my window this morning. Legs are about 1" long.
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13 August, 2006:
I happened upon your site and would very much like to know
what kind of this spider this is. It was found in Sussex County,
Bethel Delaware. I will sen 2 shots, one top side and the second the
underside. I want to think she was laying her babise here. Thank you
for any information |
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13 August, 2006:
Hi. I know you get these all the time, but my brother and I
could use your help. He stumbled upon this spider in his garden
the other day. It is about the length of a human hand and it has
distinctive yellow coloring on its back. The first time we saw
it, it was on top of a flower and did not move at all during the
day. As you might imagine, we have never seen anything like
this. We would greatly appreciate any insights you may have.
Feel free to use the pictures as you wish; the first picture is
the best.
Thanks,
Jared and Jack Kosin
Southwest Michigan
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9 August, 2006:
I live in the southeastern US and I
love your website. I found it when I was
researching this lovely beauty that
showed up last week next to my porch. My
original thought was that it was a
common banana spider but thanks to your
site, I now know it to be a St Andrews
Cross Spider. The background of the web
cannot be seen well due to the white
background of my porch. But she has a
beautiful design right down the center
of it. Down in the lower left hand of
the photo, you can see the moulted skin
(?). My camera is not the greatest plus
she is behind a large patch of Mexican
petunias and to get a photo of her, I
had to carefully move it back without
upsetting her. Keep up the great work! Sheila
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6 August, 2006:
Heya, Took these pictures the other day and am curious as to
what the spider is? It almost looks like one in the header of
your website but I'm danged if I can find the spider anywhere else
on the site. Use the pictures to your hearts desire. Btw, I live in
southwestern Oregon if that helps any. I thought it was a strikingly
beautiful specimen. D. Gildark |
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6 August, 2006:
Glenda/Dr. Bill:
I have checked several web sites to try to
identify the attached photos of a spider,
which is enjoying sunning itself on the wall
outside our kitchen, without success.
Can either one of you identify it?
Dr. Bill I know that snakes are your real
forte, but thought you might be able to help
on this brute, or know someone at ASU that
could.
Regards,
Jennifer Benson
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6 August, 2006:
Is it a common spider in Canada. I went and lived in OZ for a
year and was thinking I brought this back with me some how. Or have
they been here for a while. Is this photo a St Andrews Cross spider?
if it isn't was is it? thanx mate. |
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Reply: No I think it looks more like
a black and yellow argiope because of the stablimentum. glen.
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July, 2006:
I
Glen, We just finished painting our house in Redding Ca. a week
ago and tonight I saw this guy(See Photo). After looking at your
sight I think it may be a Golden Silk Orb
Weaver -
Nephila clavipes
. It is large and you can see in the picture the web is thicker
in front of and behind the spider which is right in the center
of the web under the second story eve. We have many oak and pine
trees around the house. Do you think I'm on the right track?
Thanks, Greg Corley
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July, 2006:
I Glen,
I came across your web site and wonder
if I could ask you to identify a spider
for me. We found this big fellow on a
lavender plant and someone told me it
was an Orb Spider, but according to my
Audubon Insect book, it looks more like
a branch-tip spider. It looks to be
about the size of 50 cent piece to a
silver dollar across…legs and everything
etc.
Any light you could shine would be much
appreciated.
Glen
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June, 2006:
Hi Glen, Thanks for answering my questions on orb weaver
spider's egg sacs. Here are some photos we took of the old girl
from last summer/fall - welcome to post them if you like. She
took up residence in our old horse trailer - good thing we
didn't need to use it! We thoroughly enjoyed watching her all
summer. Sure hope we get a glimpse of the spiderlings when they
come out! Sorry if I sent TOO many photos - hopefully you
can weed through them all. Thanks again,
Julie in Oklahoma
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25
June, 2006:
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16 June, 2006:
Hi Glen! Glad to see more young Argiopes on your page. Since I finally
have one of my own, I will share with you and your site viewers
a younger looking one for the Argiope page and the Web of the
Month page. (Yay!!) Thank You So Much!
Joe |
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June, 2006:
Hello Glen,
Here are two pictures from me. I am not sure if they
are good enough for your site. You are welcome to
publish them. Have a great day,
Julia
Click for a larger view.
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Reply: This is a Black and
Yellow Argiope.
22 April, 2006:
Any idea what this spider is? It is an Argiope? Hope you enjoy the photos.
Michael Barto |
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Reply: This is a young Black and
Yellow Garden Spider. You can tell by the heavy zig-zag pattern on
the center of the web, and the design on the backs. Joe
22 April, 2006:
Can you tell me what kind of spider this is?
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11 April, 2006:
Greetings, I found this spider in the Long Island
Pine Barrens … Just wondering if you know the name of it.
Thank You
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28 January, 2006:
any idea what this might be? it was in Louisiana...if
that helps.
Thanks,
Alyssa L.
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22 January, 2006:
Hi Glen! I want to share with you some really nice photos of the
Banded Argiope Spiders. They are really lovely close-ups taken
by my brother's digital camera.
Thanks! Joe
Click for a larger view.
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12 January, 2006:
Hi Glen!
I
couldn't get the movie through, but decided to add a few more
large pictures of the garden spider to your fifth page. (It
seems like the most common spiders people run into and question
about are the large Argiopes.)
I
saw your St. Andrew's Cross Spiders. VERY COOL!! In one of your
pictures, who's the small person in the background? Or is that
the spider? (lol)
Thanks!
Joe
Upstate, New York
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8 January, 2006:
Not the best time of year to photo webs in Nova Scotia just now.
Will work on webs next summer. Bill Turner |
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2 January, 2006:
Hi! Nice pick for last month's Web of the Month. To keep up the
competition, I've decided to add a few more pics to the page.
Thank You!
Joe Hollner Click for a larger view. |
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Click here for Page 2. Click here for Page 3.
Click here for Page 4.
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5.
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