This is my little corner and my setup: D200 + 180 mm Tamron macro + flash + bluetooth GPS (rubberband attached to flash head) + Indura tripod (recommended by the guys at Southeast Camera in Carrboro). Just in front of the fern that the lens is pointed toward, is a small group of radial strands of a web with a male and female Leucauge decorata - and they have started the mating game
Its tough to focus - since they are not in the same focal plane. This gives you some idea of the size scale.
I usually walk around a bit to see what else is happening - and found a couple of big bees (or whatever) + butterflies
And he took off. There was little light so the shutter speed is quite slow (1/125) - and his / her wings are a blue
A closer view
Another big bee (or whatever)
And a butterfly
Then back to the Leucauge decorata web. You will notice that the web is pretty primitive. The female just sort of hangs out by day - but about 6:30pm, she starts weaving the circumferential components for a night of hunting
The male just sort of dances around her, looking for a signal
Another orientation
C. Frank Starmer