Trichonephila clavipes
(Golden Silk Orb-weaver)

Dsfrye, did you go on a fantastic spider photo safari? I’ve actually done that around Charleston, South Carolina. The area has very interesting plants, insects, and lizards too. I barely have anything where I live, I miss my S.C. spider safaris. Your photo shows the golden silk that gives the Golden Silk Orbweavers their name. The coolest thing is that the big spider is female. There’s a male near the end of her leg at the top of the photo. He’s carefully touching her to signal that he wants to mate. They can see each other. Spiders mate facing each… Read more »