Tuesday 2 August 2011

Venus Pool - Hardy Wasp Spiders

The Winter of 2010/11 was as severe a test a 'Southern softie' could expect to encounter? Minus 18'C is pretty typical of the minimum experienced at VP and whilst number seemed to be down on last year - Argiope brunnichii is alive and still weaving webs at VP and here are some images to prove it!

Three mature (and no doubt getting bigger) females were found. For once, I found one away from the web too








To flash or not to flash, that is the question? Fill in seems to help in the low light down in the tussocky grass.....






Another coccoon becomes the evening meal....






The less attractive underside on show....





If you're a tiny fly, just sit still, very VERY still and hope she doesn't notice you?






Bit of wader activity on the pool too! Greenshank, 2 Green Sands, a Dunlin and lots of mud, shame they were too distant - could this be the prelude to a good Autumn passage.....