Definitely spider season

I'm not sure why, but there seem to be more spiders than usual around this autumn. I have a vague recollection that spiders are particularly active in autumn, which seems odd, since the onset of cold weather can't be good for the insects they eat. Another thing to find out. Anyway, this one wasn't one of the bigger specimens but was casting a very fine shadow and looking at home amongst the peeling paint on the back gate.