Protective Mother

A very tiny, yet protective, mum guarding her eggs on a rhubarb leaf.

Yesterday I had comments on the greenery in my garden. Today I picked some of the rhubarb and found her and her eggs, so I put her leaf back in the garden, in amongst the unpicked rhubarb, to keep her safe.

[Ellen Bogenschutz]

Such a nice sentiment, spiders are beneficial in the garden, are they not?

[Susan Wakely]

Love the detail on the spiders legs.

[Louise]

Nice to spiders getting a bit of love :)

[JackieR]

@roachling think she's a crab spider
@theredcamera I hope so
@wakelys I didn't get that close

[Santina]

wow, great close-up,I like the details

[Louise]

@30pics4jackiesdiamond It's definitely not a crab spider - they have big round bodies - they're easily recognised, usually flower colours (like white or yellow) and legs often spread out sideways (google crab spider!).

I'm not 100% certain as I'm no spider expert but my first though on seeing this was mouse spider (so named for the furry browny grey abdomen).

[Louise]

Here's a link, see what you think
https://www.naturespot.org.uk/species/mouse-spider

[KoalaGardens🐨]

nice capture :)

[JackieR]

@roachling interesting!!! Thank you Louise, no mention of mouse spider's in my ancient nature book. I felt so guilty destroying her home!!

@koalagardens get me posting a spider, she's about 1cm long!!

@santina I was very brave

[Kathy]

Now that's a nature loving thing to do. I like the close up of the spider.

[Babs]

I am sure she appreciated you saving her.

[katy]

terrific detail to your image. A girl after my own heart to save the spider and her eggs.

We used to have rhubarb when I was a girl but it is too hot where we live now to grow and I miss its sour deliciousness!

[wendy frost]

Great to hear the spider was returned to the garden with her egg babies.

[Shutterbug]

Glad you could return her. Nice image.

[haskar]

Great close up.

[Taffy]

Wonderful macro -- and nice of you to keep her safe!