• Thursday-What'sUP November 4 - 07:57 am

Nowadays when people talk about a web, we automatically think the "World Wide Web", www for short. Way back when, before the Internet ever came into being though, you'd have normally thought about the subject of today's Pasty Cam photo from Ray Laakaniemi. Spider webs have always been a fascinating structure of nature, with their sticky weavings joined around and around. Doesn't it make you wonder just how long it takes a spider to spin such an artistic display? Ray's web reminded me of a wet one, featured back in our Archives, by the late, great U.P. photographer, Dan Urbanski. Double the web pleasure today, thanks to Ray and Dan!

Facinating! Thanks for a remembrance of Dan.

Thanks for the pictures. Still missing Dan Urbanski--glad though
that his beautiful pictures live on.

I always did wonder how long it takes a spider to spin their webs, only to have us get rid of them. Reminds me of the cute litte movie, "Charlotte's Web".

I love the spider web photos... Great for Halloween this week. That isn't an easy shot to get...good job! Rest peacefully, Dan.

Actually, it's quite quick DebS; usually overnight. If you've ever watched a spider build a web, they spin around there pretty fast...

Cool! Thanks Capt. Paul.

I'm glad to see that the occupant is not at home. Even though spiders are very useful creatures and Charlotte was adorable, I would rather they do their thing where I can't see them. I don't like spiders and snakes...hey, I should write a song.

Beautiful! Nature's Lace.

That's good to know that it doesn't take a spider long to make a new web. I feel guilty every time I walk into one and destroy it. Don't like spiders either but I'd rather have spiders than bugs. Beautiful pics, looks like "Granny's Lace".
Capt. Paul, you are remarkable, gonna quit going to Google for info, I'll just ask you instead.

Back in my little adobe shack in New Mexico I had a never-ending battle with a spider. It wanted to build its web in my kitchen. I know spiders need homes, too, but preferably not in my kitchen, so I would sweep the web away. Next morning, the web would be back. I'd sweep it away. Next morning, it was back. This went on and on. One day my mom and dad came for a visit. Mom's first comment on the little slum I lived in: "Look at the spider web! Don't you ever clean house?"

Nature's own suncatchers, eh?!

The drops on the web are appropriate for me here in Portland, Or. The ten day forecast this morning, rain every day and night. Must be almost winter. I saw the UP was to get snow, so maybe those webs will be holding large fluffy flakes soon!

You guys are going to give me a complex with all the comments, lol. I'm going to start thinking I'm smarter than I really am :P

Dan Urbanski's spider web has been on one of my computer desktops since it first appeared. My other desktop is Dan's Frog On Glass.

Looking at those skinny little frog legs, I can't imagine how many frog legs you'd have to eat to make a meal. I think I'll have chicken instead. Besides, aren't they supposed to taste like chicken anyway....?

There's quite a bit of meat on big ol' bullfrog legs. Actually, to me, they taste like swamp. Ugh. Back to spider webs, isn't it a little late in the year for spinning webs? Spiders ought to be tucked away someplace warm and cozy by now.

Cindy,
We used to eat frog legs a lot when I was in college down south. The frogs were huge compared to the frogs in the UP. I was shocked to see how big they were. Also, the legs tasted mighty fine. I used to shake them up in shake and bake and fry them. Yummmmm.

Dr Nat, thanks for the story about your 'slovenly housekeeping'. Did you try putting the spider outside? Or did it keep coming back in? By the way, someone in the northern lower saw a northern black widow this summer. I didn;t think they came farther north than Ohio. Actually I had one in my kitchen near Detroit but that was after two very hot summers and I assumed it was in search of cooler climes... I didn't exile it, I killed it. Grandpa was rolling in his grave. He never let anyone kill spiders. But black widows and brown recluses (had them too!) are bad neighbors.

Ray what a gorgeous picture! Thank you. I collect photos of spider webs. Don't mind spiders much either. Caught a daddy-long-legs in kitchen sink this afternoon. Took it outside couldn't squish the poor thing! Probably will freeze.

I like the way the water droplets hang onto the spiderweb. Great picture!