On Guard

This Nursery Web spider is very common in the hedgerows at the moment. I noticed quite a few on my walk with Pepper this afternoon. They like nettles, long grass and brambles. The spider nest is made by the female weaving a web to encase the leaves , this gives protection to the tiny spiderlings as they hatch and grow, before disappearing on their own journeys. Mother guards the nursery against predators and she will not be far away if not actually on the nest.

Friends coming for dinner this evening and, although food is prepared, I must do a bit more towards it.