Winner: Spider
I’ve been talking a lot about the nature of nature lately, and yesterday the garden presented me with yet another example, again making me ponder my emotions in relation to what happens in “the real world.”
As excited as I’ve been watching the dragonflies and damsels zoom about my garden, I had mixed feelings about seeing this Spotted Orbweaver, possibly a Western Spotted Orbweaver, with its captured prize, a female Common White dragonfly. Two predators, both beneficial in a garden, but only one could win. And the truth is, the dragonfly didn’t have a chance, with her wings caught in the spider’s web.
Am I sad? Absolutely. But am I okay with it? Absolutely. I just wish the timing hadn’t been right after I happily followed dragonflies around for decent photos. I guess the spider was showing me how to really stalk dragonflies.
By the way, believe it or not, there is an animal in nature that does get me a little squeamish. But I’ll save that post for another day, hee hee.
Spiders have a thing for seeking me out and biting me. The bites can be worse than a wasp or bee sting so I feel for that poor dragonfly.
Looked back through the other posts. Love the dragonfly pictures- especially the blue dragonfly.
Hope your back is better.
Jennifer
That’s a feast of epic proportions for that little spider. Poor dragonfly, but it’s all part of the circle of life. (“Lion King” song now playing in my head.) Great images, BTW.
Having just finished with the kids a fantasy book of mythical creatures, complete with magic spells and trolls and ogres, I’m envisioning the spider magically growing to a “giant” size — like that of the dragonfly!
Meredith,
Good find for you bad for the Common Whitetail. We had them here in the hundreds last year, this year about normal. Found a mated pair of calico Pennants to photograph today!