The Anchor

At first glance, this is a 'delete' photo. Really, trash the darn thing. Let me explain what makes it so unique.

This time of year the spiders 'go all out' with their webs. Every step you take outside, a tickle of web crosses your path. Break the thread and one hour later, they re-build hoping to snag a little lunch.

Focus on the spider and web, a little up-left of centre. At the bottom of this photo, you will see a white curved 'C'. This is a broken branch that fell during the last winds, it is about 60cm (24") long. To anchor the web the spider used a section of the house, a branch attached to a cedar tree and to keep the symmetry of the web, the final 2 anchors are attached to the broken branch. The branch was lifted off the ground as she tightened the tension.

I have seen this construction many times. A small pebble or small twigs, never a large, heavy weighted branch. It is built in a good location. That being, away from my path to the garden. This will be fun to see how long it lasts.

Pretty cool stuff.