Banded Garden Spider

Banded Garden Spider at Huntley Meadows on October 13, 2026. Due to the large body size of approximately an inch, this particular spider is a female. She has made her web in the same exact spot over the past several weeks. Another photographer showed me September 18, noting she had built a nest there several days prior. She was on the other side of the web for that visit and the next, only allowing me to get shots of her underside. My October 1 visit finally had her back visible. While I was satisifed with those shots, the background was busy with small white flowers and the cattails had not started turning fall colors in her small patch yet. Another photographer on this last visit blocked the harsh sunlight on her body, allowing me soft light for the background fall colors. I was shooting north and unable to block the light with my own shadow from that angle and height position.

The Z100-400 is one of the sharpest lenses I've used. My Z180-600 has sat in its box since I bought the 100-400 in June. I'm willing to sacrifice shots of birds and animals further away to get more detailed shots of creatures and plants closer.

Lens - NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S @ 400mm on Nikon Z8