7/08/2015

Water-skiing spiders with Barbie and Midge


Each spider has its own section of the railing at the Oak Point lake dam. They must sign a lease for a single-occupancy room with a view. If you aren't looking for them, the long-jawed orb-weavers won't get your attention like a black and yellow argiope. There are so many spiders at the dam. Are they siblings? They look pretty well fed considering their squiddy skinny physiques.




This day, I'm noticing the long Y shapes in their webs that look like water-ski ropes. My water-skiing career was brief, just the year '72-'73, and included about three ski opportunities with a grand total of maybe 45 seconds of euphoria.

The spiders do not have life jackets or A-frame cabins. No boats are allowed at Oak Point, but I've seen some impressive duck synchronized swimming.

Cathy H. and Ann G. LEHS class of '73




© 2014-2015 Nancy L. Ruder

1 comment:

Debra said...

Nice shots! I recently clicked on some link bait that led to place that described how spiders can travel great distances on water: they use their silk to drop lines to slow their speed and cast silk in a way that is reminiscent of how people use sails. Plus, their bodies are waterproof.