Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Nature Notes: Spooky


Ephemera


I've been saving this one for Halloween week, because spiders kind of creep me out. These webs, spotted on a recent walk through Ludington State Park in Michigan, were completely invisible unless viewed from exactly the right angle. I had never known multiples of these to occur together and felt very lucky to have seen them. I didn't see the little artists who made them, though, so I can't tell you what sort of spiders they were.

I think the black, spiky seed pods of velvet leaf have a spidery, spooky look too. It's considered a noxious weed and is not native. But I like to let one or two grow in the pasture to provide pods and branches for Halloween decorations. This year's crop popped up next to the compost pile and reached a full six feet in height. My buffet currently hosts an entire skeletal plant, with candles and witchy-looking things mixed in. I'll have to shake all the seeds out before returning it to the yard, because it really does need to be controlled.


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For more Nature Notes, visit Michelle and her guests at Rambling Woods. And then stop by at I Heart Macro, at Shine the Divine.

10 comments:

Laura said...

absolutely gorgeous Vicki!!! These would be great to share with I Heart Macro too, the link is still open until this evening.

Karen said...

Spiders creep me out too, but the webs are beautiful!

Laura said...

hooray...so glad you joined in and hope you will again. The link opens at 7pm EST every Saturday evening:-)

Carver said...

Fantastic shots of the spider webs and they are perfect for Halloween. I also like the spiky seed pods.

Hannah said...

The velvet leaf is such an interesting centerpiece, so architectural. I looked it up, the leaves are even edible like a lot of Malvaceae. It is on the Washington weed list as a Class A weed- eradication required by law. Ouch. Apparently very invasive, and the seeds remain viable for 50-60 years.

I don't see the spider webs a lot and walk into them, usually with my face.

eileeninmd said...

The centerpiece is a wonderful idea. And the spider webs are cool, wonderful captures. Have a happy week!

Leora said...

Oooooh, spooky! I do like your bottom photo - lovely decor and setting.

MyMaracas said...

Hannah - wow. Eradication required by law?? I don't know if that's the case in Indiana, but I guess I'd better find out!

Thanks, everyone, for your kind remarks!

Rambling Woods said...

Great Halloween post Vicki... I love the webs... Must be an orb weaver of some kind... Also love your centerpiece.. I had not heard of this plant before... Michelle

EG CameraGirl said...

Wonderful shots! I've never heard of velvet leaf but I do love the pods!