: the photoblogThe Architect
95/365: You’re looking at one of nature’s best architects.
This one was lying smack in the middle of a cycad plant right next to the one I took of on day #1. Had good food at Mr Tchin’s place today before heading out to his awesome garden all shutter happy.
Edit: This spider is identified as an Argiope trifasciata. (Thanks, Latrina!) The four zig-zag columns on its web are known as Stabilimenta, and is known to make their webs more visible to birds who might fly through and destroy them. Read more here.
What an interesting spider! I have never seen one that looked quite like that one. I have always admired spider webs.. hate to run into one but always admired the detail in them, pretty impressive stuff!
I’ve never seen one like that either, Latrina. This one’s almost as if it has four legs instead of eight. =D Indeed! Spider webs are amazing. Such architects spiders are, eh? =P
It does look like it has four legs! I have spent the last few minutes trying to look up what type of spider this is.. no luck!
I can across a “green lynx spider” but I’m still now sure. I’ve come across a few interesting insects of flowers and I always find myself googling them to discover what they are. 
I came across a Luna Moth which was soo beautiful. Very lucky I am to witness it because they normally only live in that stage for a week or so.
Wish I had your skills googling insects and flowers!
I googled for Luna Moth and wow, they really are beautiful. I’ve never seen one in my life! =( I’m so envious of you now! Make sure you snap a photo of it next time you spot one. =D
Same here, Trina! I am always inspired and motivated by how spiders design their webs delicately and carefully. I love the geometry and yet a certain irregularity in their patterns – intrinsic and intriguing. Not to mention, I’m always puzzled by why they have four zig-zag columns of fiber on their web. I don’t know what function they serve but I see it on almost every spider web I come across.
Yet, I hate to walk into one. I remembered going hiking one day and walked right into a huge spider web. The slimy web glued to my glasses and it took me quite some time to remove it. I had some spider web as snack too (not as if I wanted to – they went into my mouth). Hah!
Guess spider webs appeal to a lot of us eh? =D
I’m surprised you find the four zig-zag columns common! I’ve really never seen them on any other web before other than the one in this shot! Haha. Wish I knew what function they play too!
Oh, you bet spider webs can sometimes be a nuisance, Teddy. Walking into them is never pleasant when they get all sticky all over your face, heh. But I’ve never had any in my mouth – eww!
Hah! I am such a nerd. I googled the zig-zag thing and came across “stabilimentum” — look it up! Information about the possibilities of why spiders do the zig zag thing. Interesting nonetheless.
And while searching for that, I think I may have found the type of spider.. finally. “Argiope trifasciata” — damn, I’m good.
Gah, I don’t think I have ever snacked on a web before lol.. Poor Teddy.
By the way.. eek, searching for spiders is not that fun, my body is itching now from seeing so many photos!
Thanks for googling for that special feature, Trina! I did a quick search on Wikipedia and wow, it’s interesting thing that such features are only limited to a few species of spiders.
Walking right into a spider web is the worst thing ever. There are so many trees in Singapore and spiders could easily sling itself from one side to another (eg two trees across a path) and if you’re not paying close attention to it, your face is in the smack middle of the web. Thank goodness spiders rarely wait for insects at the center of the web… ah, I shall stop describing the next step!
LMAO. Nice find, Latrina! You’ve got some pretty good Googling skills, hah! It’s interesting indeed what those zigzags are for – learnt something new today. Also explains why I don’t see them very often.
I’ve edited the post to insert your findings. =D
Teddy, if S’pore has a lot of trees, wait till you come over to Kuching! I bet this place has twice the trees..but thankfully not twice the amount of spiders though. =(
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You do know I have arachnophobia, don’t you?
T.T
I’ve never seen such spider around. But I would NEVER say it’s pretty. *chills*
It’s going to jump at you – mark my words.
Be very afraid. =P
This is good! You should submit this pic for National Geographic. Hehehe
Spider always looks great in photography, but not in real.. I will run if I meet this kind of fella in the garden.
National Geographic? Haha! Still not thick-faced enough to do that. =P
LOL. I was actually slightly trembling as I held my camera as close to it as possible, ready to flee the instant I sense it jumping at me. But it lay as still as a rock, luckily.