First, I want to admit something. I don’t think spiders are creepy or crawly. They do crawl at times but I think they are beautiful creatures.

Venusta Orchard SpiderVenusta Orchard Spider – Nikon D70, handheld, f5.6, 1/60, ISO 200, Nikkor 70-300mm VR at 300mm, natural light

I couldn’t think of many spooky, creepy or crawly things that I photograph that scare me to post for Halloween but some people are afraid of spiders so I thought I’d post a few in honor of the scariest holiday here in the United States. Quite frankly I think some people are scarier than spiders though.

I photographed this Venusta Orchard Spider (Leucauge venusta) while walking on the boardwalk at Sawgrass Lake County Park in Pinellas County, Florida. It is a small spider that makes a large web in comparison with its size. I actually think they are kind of pretty not creepy.

Black-and-Yellow Garden SpiderBlack-and-Yellow Garden Spider – Nikon D70, handheld, f5.6, 1/60, ISO 200, Nikkor 70-300mm VR at 300mm, natural light

The Black-and-Yellow Garden Spider (Argiope aurantia) has a lot of common names that include yellow garden spider, zipper spider, corn spider or writing spider which shows the importance of having scientific names for ID because common names can differ in different locations. I like the striking yellow and black designs on the abdomen of this spider and I don’t think it is scary.

Western Spotted OrbweaverWestern Spotted Orbweaver – Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/200, ISO 640, -1.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light

During a few week period of time on Antelope Island State Park spiders are everywhere. In the hundreds. In the thousands. In the millions! And that isn’t an exaggeration at all.

Western Spotted Orbweavers (Neoscona oaxacensis) weave their webs and lurk within them, waiting for their unsuspecting prey. During the peak of spider season on the island you might think it is spooky because in every Sagebrush, Rabbitbrush or Greasewood these spiders could be hiding to leap out…

And ignore you.

Happy Halloween!

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my insect and spider photos.