Trapped (to free or not to free)

So, this huge spider has been hanging out on my deck lately. The other day he was in the middle of this huge perfect web that I couldn't wait to get a shot of - but, I must have spooked him because by the time I got back with my camera, he had destroyed his web and was on his way into hiding.

A couple of days later, I found this poor dragonfly caught in his web. I was torn as to whether I should try and free it or not. I really wrestled with it but then decided that this was nature and that it would also be a substantial dinner for the spider.

I couldn't get any great shots but decided to post this one for a few reasons. I didn't realize it until I uploaded that I had captured (not very well) the spider silk coming out of the spinnerets to wrap up the dragonfly. You can see that at the bottom of the shot. Also, it was interesting to watch all of this through my camera lens. For some reason it wasn't as creepy that way.

This was about 4:00 in the afternoon and by the next morning, there was no trace of the dragonfly.

Alternate shot: http://365project.org/tara11/extras/2014-08-14

[Leslie64]

I would have struggled, and then made the same decision you did. This is a great shot - so cool to see the detail of this process.

[MaryBeth Dailey]

OMG OMG OMG! So cool and I am jealous I have not gotten to see something this cool! I have seen them "throw that wide net" of silk and it is amazing. But to catch a big d fly! Wow. The only way I would have tried to help him is if I had scared the d fly INTO the spider's web. I did that once, but it was a small grasshopper. I was creeping in the grass near my hosta, to shoot the spider, and made a g hopper jump into the web. I could not have saved him...that spider was too fast. What an amazing thing to witness. Sad for d fly, but it is nature. You were right to just let it be. Great pic. fav (of course!)

[MaryBeth Dailey]

btw, the ilght is so great in this! I can see that spider so clearly! I have seen that type before. Anyway, this is coolio

[Milanie]

I love your shot and so glad you posted it. Would have been so tickled to have watched something like this - fantastic evidence of how nature operates. Marvelous detail in your shot.

[Sue Wilde]

Icredible detail here

[Julia]

Uh oh!

[summerfield]

you would not have been able to help the fly if he was already tangled in the web. once he's caught in it, it's bye-bye world for it. great capture!

[Pyrrhula]

Stunting . Love yours the better. A fav.
Thank you for you visits and nice comments. I`m very pleased by each and all of them . Very much appreciated,

[Tara]

@summerfield Well, he really wasn't caught up in the web quite yet, kind of just hanging by a thread; I think I could have saved him, but I'm glad that opted not to. It's nature's way afterall. Thanks for your comments Vikki!

[Pyrrhula]

Thank you . I still making (others) them.

[Skip Tribby - ​🖖]

I've struggled with that question myself! But it is the way of things.

[Mary Downing Hahn]

Oh, my goodness. I think you did the right thing -- I believe the spider has a good grip on the his victim and it's too late to save it.