A Dynasty Begins

I was busy mowing the lawn and flinging grass over the fence, when a strange sight caught my eye. A handful of grass appeared to be defying gravity and staying suspended in the air.

 

It didn't take long to realise that it was a spider web holding the grass afloat. Closer inspection bought me face to face with my first argiope.

 

Sunlight and shadow seem to have inspired this beautiful creation. In fact, areas of light and shade are where this striking beauty will create her webs, as they offer her excellent camouflage. She is a member of the argiope genus, a common family of spiders found in gardens around the world.

She lived in a majestic orb web, with a centerpiece 'X' drawn with a zig-zag pattern of silk. Placing two legs on each arm of the 'X', she calmly awaited her prey. Vivid patterns mark her on the top and underbelly.

Here is a shot from the top, framed between the house and garden:

 

She lived here for several days before finally disappearing, web and all. I suspect the gardener must have brushed her away, as he did not want any ghastly fauna tarnishing his precious flora.  Though she was gone, she was only the first in a lineage of argiopes who lived on in the Domestic Jungle. I'll be posting more of her legacy as time passes.