The engrossing spectacle of orb-weaver spider mating

Finding some new representatives of the spider taxon Mygalomorphae (Mygals, for short) leads me to discover more about this endearing group of animals.

I rediscover the Ogre-faced Netcaster spider and her amazing method of trapping prey

It's all happening out there on a warm Spring evening in the forest

We were lucky to witness a special event - a Netcaster Spider making her net. 

As a 'first' for us, discovering this spider in the undergrowth was an exciting find. What I didn't realise at the time was how rare it is to get a photo of a male Bird-dropping Arkys spider. My lucky day!

I get to witness a fascinating event - a male St. Andrew's Cross Spider courting then mating with a female...and the macabre postscript.