Ballooning

Have you ever seen a spider fly? Well, "spiders are not actually able to fly but they are very light in weight and the pull of the slightest breeze on a short line of silk is enough to lift them aloft and carry them considerable distances. Ballooning is most noticeable in the autumn. Folks have reported to have seen, what they describe, as "goose down" drifting through the air. When large numbers of spiders balloon, their silk threads tend to drift together and form patches which are readily noticed."

"A spider intent on ballooning climbs to a high point and turns to face the wind. Several strands of silk are then expelled and these are what is carried up into the air. The spider then stands on tiptoe and when the force of the air currents is sufficient, the leg claws release their grip and away they go!"

I have yet to actually see spiders in the middle of their ballooning process. However, I have seen the results of their ballooning on our property. Just last Sunday we left our home in the afternoon to go cut some wood for our wood stove... we were only gone a few hours. When we returned home, our side yard was just covered in these webs. I ran indoors to get our camera because I didn't want to miss the opportunity to take pictures this year.

The picture here at the left may look like the sun is setting on a glistening body of water, but in fact, that rippling effect you see is actually cobwebs strewn all across the field. If you look at the pile of wood in the foreground (click on each picture to enlarge), you can clearly see the cobwebs that rested there. It was really an amazing sight to see. These pictures don't even come close to them justice.

I'm sure some of you know what I'm talking about. If you happen to have some pictures of these floating spiders and an area where they have come to rest, I'd love it if you would share your pictures with me!