A spider fond of spinning

On our walks near to the end of the year we often see adult female golden silk orb-weavers. The species is Nephila clavipes. The genus name Nephila is translates to "fond of spinning".

The above photo was made when Esme and I visited the canyon near the town Chavarillo. Read more on our walk in the canyon in Return to Chavarillo.

Also today

• Nature Photos 2006 (overview)
• Mexican ribbon snake (Thamnophis proximus rutiloris)
• Grasshoppers all lined up
• The Mango fruit stand
• Hieroglyphic moths sheltering under a leaf
• Vinnie the vinegaroon
• The sand cave
• Giant cactuses along the road
• Scorpion mother with babies on her back
• Rawr!
• The tame carpenter bee
• Skinky winky
• Anna's Eighty-eight
• The spiny lizard relaxing
• The Guard Parrot
• A butterfly resting
• The Shroom Castle
• My favorite pet snake
• The big grasshopper
• The little rain frog
• Purple flowers in the rain
• Prickly pears
• A scorpion on my hand
• Big Green Butterfly
• A spiny lizard in the grass