My photo
Each week we will publish our "Photo of the Week" and release a story which either describes how it was taken or a story inspired by it. We hope you enjoy reading them as much as the indulgence we feel sharing them.

Monday, April 11, 2011

Golden Orb


My yard, like so many others in Brisbane, is dominated by two of these magnificent arachnids.  They always pair but do not build their webs next to each other.  It’s as close to romantic attachment as I can imagine two spiders sharing.
Their webs are magnificent.  Strong and clean, they can take up enormous amounts of space.  I have forgotten how many times I have become entangled in their sticky threads whilst walking carelessly around the house.
And the bigger the spider, the stronger is their web.  At their largest, I have watched them brazenly sit in exposed air, fearlessly defying birds to risk getting caught up in it for the sake of a juicy meal.
They appear unflappable.  Just as quickly as I sever the connecting threads from ground to clothesline to rooftop, they are busy repairing the damage I have caused.  Within 20 minutes, they have re-established those securing points if I haven’t completely destroyed their creation.
Most of all, I like watching their gossamer traps shimmer after rain as they patiently wait for the inevitable.  A hapless insect will flutter obliviously into its clutches.

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