Spider Mates
A delicate operation, he delivering his seed while avoiding becoming a nourishing meal.
*Click pictures for closer view …
Daring fellow … perhaps instinctively balanced between survival and reproduction imperatives.
She, being relocated on a stick as too close to the orange tail resin bee hotels.
He is content in his own web, waiting on an unlucky visitor to the butterfly bush. Gotta keep his strength up.
St Andrews Cross spider they’re called. The big colourful female and the relatively small male.
She sits in her web unmoving, he approaches from the other side, the web a barrier and carrier, wary for his life.
Some spiders eat their suitors after mating, food for potential spiderlings, these are probably one of those. Nature is savagely practical.
They reside in different parts of the garden, within their own webs, sitting without anxiety for what may be. No thought for any past or future.
Some spiders must die of hunger this way, become food for another predator, or travel for food and a mate, as they do, fearlessly though no doubt instinctively cautious.
© Mark Berkery ……. Click on those pictures for a closer look
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Nature's Place 
You know, I think I’ve been in a relationship like this. :) Seriously, Mark, amazing photos of a delicate operation, indeed.
Thanks Cate. Well, it is our nature after all. That we see our reflection in it is natural.
“Nature is savagely practical” Poignant thought to go with the rest of the beautiful writing and pictures, Mark.
Always sincerely appreciative, Susan
Thanks Susan.
Superb shots! :)
Thanks Tom.
Wonderful :) Always good to be reminded of the importance of the “little” things going on around us.
Thanks Lissa. There’s room in the garden for a few big spiders, given everything else has free rein to multiply – good mozzie catchers too.
Beautiful colours, and beautiful details. I gotta see one of these pictures popping up on my follow feed every now and then. Gotta love macro.
Thanks Harry.