Tiny Gems

Seven orb weavers whorl their homes all along my front porch. Shaped like narrow lozenges -- opalescent silver on the back, lime green, chrome yellow, and orange patterned underneath -- these tiny mabel orchard spiders (Leucauge venusta) hang in the middle of their angled webs, catching light, flaring and flashing their beauty like opals.

These spinners make beautiful neighbors.