First to establish the scale of N. pilipes and A. flavescens.
An accident. I tripped over one of the supporting strands and the top portion of the web collapses. Her is another view of the size scale with the accumulated collapsed web silk
Though the depth of field is not great - here is another size scale comparison
Ventral view
Here is a mature Argyrodes flavescens (center) and an infant (I think) to the upper right
Her abdomen is highly polished and here you can see the reflection of the sky. THe little yellow dots on the Nephila silk are caused by the accumulation of water which in turn regulates the tension of the silk. My question, though, is why are not droplets on the radial strands?
A closer view
Another reflection with yellow droplets
Just doing something
Manipulaing the silk
I think she is harvesting water droplets here
She just seems suspended in air here except for her drag line and a small strand that she holds with one of her left fore-legs
More acrobatics
From the spinneret
Another view of her spinneret
A dull reflection
A focused reflection
up close and personal
Another reflection
Closer
Here our Lady-in-black is hiding at the top of the web
Her head
and jaw
Holding her dragline with one leg
Interesting lighting
C. Frank Starmer