
Shamrock Orbweaver - Araneus trifolium
I would have missed seeing this spider if it wasn't for the hummingbird that got stuck in its web! I was walking next to a pond when I startled a hummingbird, which then flew into this spider's web and got stuck. The spider was hiding in some leaves, but quickly came down and attempted to subdue the hummingbird. I have no idea if this spider would have been able to eat the hummingbird, but it was obviously willing to try. I was too busy gasping in horror to take a picture of this odd scene, but was very happy that the hummingbird was able to escape. In this picture, you can see the spider trying to repair the damage done to its web by the hummingbird. The spider was about 4cm long, was very hairy, had striped legs, and a large pale yellow abdomen.

Araneus trifolium is a cogweb spider that occurs in the United States and Canada. Females vary between 9-20mm in length whilst males vary between 5-8mm in length.
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