This spider was weaving its web right outside our living room window. I photographed it against the sunset with my 105mm macro lens.
I recognize that this spider is a citizen of nature and quite visually interesting. However, I also think it looks a bit creepy (or yucky).
A kind Flickrite informs me that it is a common European garden spider, and essentially harmless. So the label is really unfair.
In the meantime, I used Photoshop to enhance the creepiness. Here’s the Ink Outlines filter applied on a layer copy using Multiply blending mode:
I think this effect makes it look like the spider is crawling up an eye socket! How’s that for creepiness?