One of the types of spiders commonly seen around the lake are the funnel weavers. Their webs remind me of tiny kingdoms spread out among the vegetation. The spiders use silk to construct sheet-like webs in which to capture insects. The webs have a narrow funnel-shaped “retreat” where the spider hides out, sometimes camouflaged by leaves and other natural debris. They then rush out when an insect lands on the web, and use their venom to subdue the insect before dragging it back to their retreat.
Here are a few photos of funnel weavers and their webs.
Recently I spotted a funnel weaver, perhaps a male, climbing down a web. Male funnel weavers will cautiously approach a female so as not to become her next meal. A female, which had been sitting in the retreat, came out to check out the situation.
“A little kingdom I possess, where thoughts and feelings dwell; And very hard the task I find of governing it well.” ~Louisa May Alcott
walking on a country road 
Amazing photos. But I hate spiders webs! They creep me out!👀 Love the quote
I don’t mind them too much as long as they are outside and at a distance. Thanks, Sheryl! 🙂
Funnel weavers are cool. Great photos.
Thanks, Timothy. I have to admit that they can be fascinating to watch.
Quite an elaborate web design. Great captures!
Thanks! The webs aren’t as neat and pretty as the orb-weaver spider’s, but are quite intricate.
Absolutely amazing / what a fascinating phenomenon. I’m familiar with or Weavers, but I have never heard of funnel Weavers before.
We see these all around the boardwalk at the lake in the summertime. They are messy looking webs, but they serve their purpose. It’s interesting that there is a back door to the “retreat” so that the spider can quickly escape out that way if needed.
I wish I was not so scared of spiders Rebecca as I know I could respect and appreciate them more. I see those funnel webs and dread that the spider will walk out on that web and jump on me, then dart back to safety.
That’s where a camera with good zoom is helpful. You can observe from a safe distance. 🙂 When I see the funnel webs, I always like to check and see if the spider is at home.
That’s a good idea because when they run out, it is at the speed of sound! I did take some photos of spider webs with dew on them this Summer. It might be months until I get to that post, but they were pretty and unoccupied as far as I could tell.
Dew really makes them stand out. I look forward to seeing them.
Yes it does. This was in the Knot Gardens at the Botanical Gardens, so a lot of Boxwood bushes, all very precisely trimmed, all with the same spider webbing across the tops of the bushes.
Pretty amazing! I have observed many types of spider webs in nature and often marveled at their design and wondered about the individual purpose….great photos!
Thanks, Liza! Nature is amazing when you stop and really take the time to look at it.
industrious little guys 🕸️🕷️🕸️
💫🌿✨🦎☀️💖☮️⚛️♾️🦀🐉🙏🏻😌🙋♂️
Yes, they are. 🙂