My Watch dog (Open with care)

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This is my watch dog who catches a few bugs for me, I did'nt realize spiders put a twist in their web at the corner of every section, amazing.

well feeded....hope that is'nt a Huntsman

Unless I am wrong , isn't she a 'golden orb'

Looks to me like an Orb Weaver, we have a lot of them here that build massive webs. Some are to the east of our kitchen window and when covered in dew with the early risingun behind the webs look fantastic.

The webs are very sticky, specially when one walks into one in the dark.
The spider can be found in the evening by torch light in the centre of the web.

Aparently they have been taken outerspace to see if they can weave their web. Don't know the result though they can put up a 6' diameter web here in one night.

They make great pets.

Ozeboy, they were able to construct a symmetrical web after adjusting themselves to zero gravity.

Thanks Alee, I never did find out how well the experiment went. Just heard they were part of the cargo during blast-off.

There was an interesting article on Foxtel Geo about man living in space forever should something happen to planet Earth. There have been a number of tests done to see how much exercise, body functions and dietry requirements needed to stay forever. One of the strict rules was no chasing and getting into the womens space suits. The rules had to be amended for if man was to exist up there forever something had to be done to keep the human species from dying out. All sorts of combo suits and elastic apparatus were submitted but none really proved successiful.
A newly married couple that went into space right after their wedding ceremony and prior to the amended rules failed to comment on there return. They were both showing very big grins.

So the search goes on for the ideal equipment, any suggestions or volonteers. NASA would like to hear from you.

lol, from golden orb spiders to sex in space in 6 posts!

Ripley, I don't think that is a record?. The program on Foxtel just happened to be on when the Orb Weaver post arrived

I am fasinated with space travel so watch Foxtel for these programs. This week was about a Ace Jewish Fighter Pilot whose grandparents died in concentration camps during the war. He was one of the lucky people (Pilots and Crew) to go into space from USA and come back landing safely.

Ozeboy, is it true one of the problems being in space long term, is your muscles would start to waste away because of lack of gravity? I just remember hearing that somewhere.

Happy roses, aparently they have to use exercise machines daily to avoid that problem. We are talking living in zero gravity for months and then having the strength to walk on earth 2 years later.

Just for you Ripley, believe it or not, one of the strict rules for astronaughts was no amorous conduct. Then someone pointed out that if humans were to live in space for years this rule would have to be amended and special devices invented. The program mentioned 3 suits were submitted and are being tested in zero gravity. There is not a lot of privacy up there so hope the suits are neck to ankles.

With all the disasters happening here on planet Earth they had better get everything fixed before it's too late.

The spiders web is fasinating, note the way the web appears to be twisted about 3 turns around the horizontal web. Yet, the spider is too large to fit through the opening.

Will have to see the ones here spinning a web.

here is one I found awhile ago

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There is quite a lot of variation between the two, no doubt there are various families of Orb Weavers. Will have to check the ones here.

Most obvious differences are colour, leg length and fur on legs.

Whatever, Ozros and Estate you camera equipment is working well, great pix.

howdy Ozeboy

With spiders I just break the web if necessary to get through to do things, paper wasps, if there in an area where I wont get stung I leave them, and preying mantis, the kill of preditors , I never touch them. All of the above are good for controlling one bug or an other.

Ozeboy, Iam off to Portland to see Treloars today, hoping to entice them to grow some off my roses.

Good Luck Ozroz.

Ozros, I'm a Treloar distantly related about the same vintage as the late Ted Treloar.

We all started in Cornwall 3 or 4 generations ago and found our way to just about every part of the globe.

Like you all creatures have a purpose which reminds me Landline had a great program on preditory bugs and how this approach has reduced the use of chemicals on food crops.

Broccoli was considered difficult to get sprays under the florets but the preditors work with ease. Wine grapes were mentioned as being better flavoured without the use of chemicals.

They showed a band of crop about 2 metres wide then another band of refuse for the preditors to breed and winter in.

This is a great programme for rose growers to rethink their cultivation methods.

Warren, how did the meeting with Treloars go the other day. Anything good come out of it.

Howdy Roseman,
every thing went pretty well, awesome complex they have, opened my eyes.