We are probably (in the UK) all familiar with the common garden spider. We see the webs everywhere, with a modreately large, bulbous spider sitting neatly in the centre. She's the female of the species. Araneus diadematus, to give the correct name.

In mid-September I noticed several occasions when a smaller spider would appear to be mounting an attack on the large female. It would approach on a web and there would be lots of limb waving, with the smaller spider beating a retreat. This is in fact part of the mating process, the smaller spider being the male. His caution is not without purpose. A wrong move and he could be eaten.

The first 6 photos here were taken in the early hours of 14th September 2008. The next 12 shots were taken late in the evening of 17th September. I used the Canon EOS 40D with a Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG macro lens. For light I used the Canon 430EX flash unit.