Wildlife Archives - Page 32 of 38 - Alice Hunter Photography

Misty mornings and heavy dew are almost synonymous with autumn in my mind and so it will come as no surprise that I enjoy photographing them too. One particular subject is favoured by many a naturalist and photographer in these conditions; spider’s webs. These natural wonders are all the more spectacular when bejewelled with hundreds of tiny droplets glinting in the morning light. It therefore seems a particularly fitting way to start this week’s post with just such an image that I took recently.

For some of you, I expect that spiders are not a particularly welcome sight. I know that as a youngster I was not at all keen on them. I have to say that handling spiders is still something that I don’t always enjoy, but as I’ve grown to understand what incredible creatures they are, I certainly have a new found sense of wonder at their complexity and variety.

For example, while all spiders produce silk in one form or another, some can create up to seven different types to perform different functions from the obvious web to capture prey, to gossamer for dispersal of young on the wind and delicate cocoons for their precious eggs. In this next image, you can see a Marbled Orb Weaver (Araneus marmoreus) using a thicker type of silk to immobilise the prey that has become tangled in her web, in this case a wasp.

The next photograph is of a species that many of you will be familiar with, even if you don’t know much about it. The Labyrinth Spider (Agelena labyrinthica) is widespread and easy to spot because of its habit of building a funnel-shaped sheet web in which it hides. It takes its name from the maze-like mass of tunnels which spread out from the narrow end of the funnel and conceal the egg sac full of developing young.

Another familiar arachnid for many is the Garden Cross Spider (Araneus diadematus). Whilst not confined to our gardens they are one of the more likely species to find lurking in the flower beds. They do vary in colour but all have a characteristic white crucifix shape on the abdomen that gives them their name. This particular individual was quite a vibrant rust colour compared to others I have seen.

The Four-Spot Orb Weaver (Araneus quadratus) is another which takes its name from its patterning. I had only seen them once before this year but hadn’t had my camera with me at the time so I was pleased to find them on the Norfolk coast. Unfortunately for me it was quite a breezy day and I had immense trouble focusing as the web was being blown all over the place. This image does show the markings on the abdomen nicely though. I have since found one in the field margin next to my house – typical! Needless to say I’m sure I’ll be photographing them more often in future.

I didn’t have so much trouble with this next image, the subject was most obliging. This one is a Furrow Orb Weaver (Larinioides cornutus) which is most often found near water. I actually photographed this one in a hide overlooking a lake so, while it may not be obvious, it was in the right place!

My last spidery image for this piece is my personal favourite. I have wanted to see one of these beauties for a number of years, and despite looking in several known locations I didn’t manage to find what I was looking for until much more recently, and with a little help.

The Wasp Spider (Argiope bruennichi) has to be one of Britain’s most spectacular invertebrate species. It is in fact a recent arrival from the continent and has slowly colonised the south of the country. You can’t mistake the female’s striking wasp-like colours, but there is another interesting feature in the web which is not common in other British species; a stabilimentum. This is a wide zig-zag feature in the middle of the web, though nobody knows what purpose it serves. I have read about them but never seen one before and despite my best efforts this gorgeous lady had not built one into her web so I am still on the lookout.

These are, of course, only a few of a great many species with which we share our homes, gardens and countryside. I hope that these photographs have highlighted the beauty that can be found in the world of British arachnids. I know that there will still be some of you that fear spiders, but perhaps by sharing some of their amazing adaptations you can learn to love them a little more like I have.

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You may remember a little while ago that I introduced you to one of my latest projects, documenting the development of a new nature reserve on the edge of Cambridge. Trumpington Meadows is still unveiling its secrets to me and although I’ve missed a few, Yellow Wagtails nesting on the edge of the reserve for example, I’m determined to capture as much as possible despite spending relatively little time there. It is appropriate therefore, that I share some images from my latest visits.

September’s was quite late in the month as I’d been away in Scotland. I had thought I might find the first few autumn colours emerging, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. It still felt like summer despite the cooler start and patches of mist burning off. The first thing that struck me as I walked onto the reserve was how many flowers there were, still clinging on in little pockets of colour. This Field Scabious was one such example still coated in the morning dew.

The pond has some new residents in the form of Mute Swans and the Coots have stayed on too. There were quite a few dragonflies still hanging around as well, making the most of the early morning sunshine. I came across this lovely male Ruddy Darter sunning itself on a burdock leaf near the river.

Looking up from my focus on flowers and insects I saw a species that I hadn’t seen here before; a Cormorant. They tend to be more common on the coast over much of the country but do seem to come inland more around East Anglia, and this one was perched on the very top of a tree overhanging the river.

I was back for my October visit only a couple of weeks later as I didn’t want to miss the autumn colours. Once again though I found myself surprised at the species I was seeing and hearing; Small White butterflies flapping from Knapweed to Scabious, while a Chiffchaff called from the trees nearby. There were a few hints that it was nearing the end of the summer though. The first few leaves were turning and the hedgerows were yielding berries.

I also found a lovely Green Shield Bug on one bunch of blackberries, which I wasn’t expecting!

There were hips on the Dog Rose bushes too, but even they managed the odd flower to make the most of the warm, Indian summer weather.

The meadows have been mown now and the view is rather different, but along the edges and between the recently planted saplings there are still a few flowers to be found.

This pink form of usually white Yarrow was a particularly nice plant.

The warm weather was also encouraging plenty of bees to forage amongst the clovers and I captured this Common Carder on a bramble flower.

Undoubtedly there will be all sorts of new discoveries for me to make at Trumpington Meadows over the winter months. I am already looking forward to my next visit, when I hope the Ivy that I’ve been keeping my eye on will be in flower. In the meantime next week’s post will be a guest piece by a good friend and fellow photographer, Tim Pryor.

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Tag Archive for: Wildlife

Superb Spiders, not so scary after all!

Trumpington Meadows in Autumn