western australia

Hanging by a thread

@JudyEv (355138)

Rockingham, Australia

June 3, 2025 8:31pm CST

While staying at our niece’s house, I saw this leaf literally hanging by a thread. I called Vince thinking he might like a photo of it and this is it. It looked like it was suspended in mid-air. Of course, it’s been caught by a spider- or cobweb. I knew a spiderweb is very strong. I once found a small bird whose wingtip had become entangled in a web and rendered it helpless. The aim of webs is to catch prey. Some spiders create their webs each morning then pck them up in the evening. A home remedy to stop bleeding was to cover the wound with spiderwebs. I did a bit of research and discovered that spider silk has greater tensile strength than the same weight of steel and much greater elasticity. Investigations are underway for recreate its microstructure to aid in the development of such items as bullet-proof vests and artificial tendons.

16 people like this

16 responses

@Ineeddentures (2890)

•

4 Jun

That is a great photo I had no idea that spider silk was so strong. And the next time I cut myself shaving I now know how to stop the bleeding using a spider web

2 people like this

@JudyEv (355138)

• Rockingham, Australia

4 Jun

I guess there was a time when Band-Aids hadn't been invented.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (355138)

• Rockingham, Australia

4 Jun

@Ineeddentures If you say so.

1 person likes this

@Ineeddentures (2890)

•

4 Jun

@JudyEv Bob Gelding and Midge Ure not a good singer hadn't been born and both didn't wish it was xmas

2 people like this

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@nela13 (58966)

• Portugal

4 Jun

What a great photo that you took!

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@JudyEv (355138)

• Rockingham, Australia

5 Jun

@nela13 I should look into selling photos online. I have no idea how to go about it but I could research it.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (355138)

• Rockingham, Australia

4 Jun

Thanks. It was a bit strange to see it hanging in mid-air.

2 people like this

@nela13 (58966)

• Portugal

4 Jun

@JudyEv You can sell it online.

2 people like this

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@LadyDuck (475512)

• Italy

4 Jun

Spiderwebs are a lot stronger than we think. I went to free a lizard that had a foot "grabbed" into a spiderweb. This is a great photo.

2 people like this

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@LadyDuck (475512)

• Italy

4 Jun

@JudyEv - Very true.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (355138)

• Rockingham, Australia

4 Jun

One strand may not be too strong on its own but if a creature gets caught in a few strands then it can be struggling to free itself.

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@wolfgirl569 (117036)

• Marion, Ohio

4 Jun

That is a great picture. Spiders are amazing creatures

2 people like this

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@wolfgirl569 (117036)

• Marion, Ohio

5 Jun

@JudyEv Maybe the spider thought that would keep you out

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (355138)

• Rockingham, Australia

9h

@wolfgirl569 Haha. He put up his own warning sign! lol

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (355138)

• Rockingham, Australia

5 Jun

I nearly walking into it. The previous morning I'd walked into a spiderweb at that spot but this time there was a leaf hanging.

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@rakski (138285)

• Philippines

4 Jun

That is a nice photo. I didn't know spider silk is strong.

2 people like this

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@rakski (138285)

• Philippines

4 Jun

Nice

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@JudyEv (355138)

• Rockingham, Australia

4 Jun

It's very strong for its dimensions.

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@innertalks (22829)

• Australia

4 Jun

The leaf is the shape of a heart, which is an interesting reminder that love can also be tenuous sometimes, and hang by a thread, and so every day, we should spin another connection to our loved ones, and build the love bond even stronger.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (355138)

• Rockingham, Australia

4 Jun

Your remarks are very true. I forgot to mention that it was a nice heart-shape.

1 person likes this

@innertalks (22829)

• Australia

4 Jun

@JudyEv I look for heart shapes. I often find a heart shaped rock.

1 person likes this

@snowy22315 (190581)

• United States

4 Jun

That is an interesting photo. It looks gravity defying.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (355138)

• Rockingham, Australia

4 Jun

I couldn't see the spider web when I first saw the leaf hanging in the air.

1 person likes this

@psanasangma (7651)

• India

4 Jun

This is really good photography !! Hence proved the thread of spider web is strong it can hold leaf besides trapping the other insects in their webs

2 people like this

@JudyEv (355138)

• Rockingham, Australia

4 Jun

He likes experimenting with his photography.

1 person likes this

@FourWalls (75300)

• United States

4 Jun

That’s amazing about the strength of a spider web. One thing that spider webs are great for: they can turn anyone into a karate expert just by walking into one.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (355138)

• Rockingham, Australia

4 Jun

Isn't it the most awful feeling to run into a cobweb? I know exactly what you mean.

2 people like this

@DaddyEvil (149830)

• United States

4 Jun

I like Vince's photo.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (355138)

• Rockingham, Australia

4 Jun

He likes getting inventive with his photos.

Thanks.

2 people like this

@DaddyEvil (149830)

• United States

4 Jun

@JudyEv You're welcome.

2 people like this

@xFiacre (13722)

• Ireland

4 Jun

@judyev If it’s got greater tensile strength than steel someone might bang a 50% tariff on it. Cool pic.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (355138)

• Rockingham, Australia

4 Jun

Tariffs go up and down like a ... Better not say it! lol

2 people like this

@Ronrybs (20624)

• London, England

4 Jun

I knew there is a great deal of research into webs as they are both strong and flexible

2 people like this

@JudyEv (355138)

• Rockingham, Australia

5 Jun

There was too much info to put in the discussion but they're trying to develop a similar fibre synthetically.

1 person likes this

@LindaOHio (190287)

• United States

4 Jun

That's a wonderful photo.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (355138)

• Rockingham, Australia

4 Jun

I thought he'd want a photo of it.

2 people like this

@Beestring (15450)

• Hong Kong

4 Jun

This is an interesting photo. I didn't know that spider web can be that strong.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (355138)

• Rockingham, Australia

4 Jun

I was a bit surprised too.

2 people like this

@Jenaisle (14447)

• Philippines

2h

It's a wonderful piece of art. I didn't know the webs are that strong. Wow! Thanks for the information.

@Melanie_Marie (2114)

• United States

4 Jun

Hey Judy, when you have time, read up on how a cellar spider catches its prey, 3 different attack styles. It can trap and eat other spiders 4x its size, and in a very clever way. And oh my goodness AMAZING SHOT. You could easily sell this ^ online to one of the big pic sites. Great job to you & Vince

2 people like this

@JudyEv (355138)

• Rockingham, Australia

4 Jun

Thanks for the kind words. I did read about how an orb spider spins its web. They are quite amazing really.

2 people like this