I was out for a bike ride a few weeks ago and came to a bridge across the creek where I decided to stop for a short rest before turning back. It was a fortuitous stop because, just over the edge and slightly below the deck of the bridge was an amazing looking spider just putting the finishing touches on its web. I only had my cell phone with me and the photos I shot were awful.

The following week, I took my camera and my two longest lenses with me. That bridge must be a prime hunting ground for an orb weaver spider like this because there it was, in precisely the same spot. The spider had finished constructing its web by the time I got there and seemed happy to sit and pose for me while waiting for lunch to deliver itself. I shot a bunch of photos this time and was rewarded with this one.

I'm terrified of spiders, but at the same time I appreciate their beauty and their usefulness. I hope you enjoy this one. My friend, DaiCymru, tells me that this is a golden orb weaver. I wonder what purpose the vertical "zippers" in the web serve.

NOTE: After I shot this, but before I got around to posting it, Vex beat me to it with these three photos. Same species. Looks like he was able to get a LOT closer than I did:
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/32886216/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/32886233/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/32886278/