Friday Foto Friends: Nature's (God's) Art Work

Here it is...Friday Foto Friends day again!  In keeping with the "season"....yes, fall is upon us, but I was thinking more about how "nature" decorates for Halloween....I don't have to do any decorating for that spooky day..."nature" does it for me!  Well, actually, GOD is the Master Designer...He is the One Who gave all creatures the ability to build their nests or webs or wherever they live. Have you ever thought about that?  Well, think about all the diverse creatures throughout the earth (and sea!).  If you ever watch any of the magnificent nature programs that National Geographic does, you can't help but marvel at the magnificent artistry and design of all creatures big and small...and their abilities to capture food and build homes for their young...

Today I will just share some of the "artwork" of our "arachnid" family...better known as spiders.

I know some of you won't like that...but it's all a part of nature! God created them along with all the beautiful creatures out there.  (Genesis 1:20-25) So let's just sit back and be glad we didn't walk into these spider webs as we journeyed through the yard and woods...

This is a 'photo-shopped" version of the spider web in my front yard:

And here is the real picture in our front yard.  Yes, so glad I didn't walk through this!

We saw this lovely golden silk orb-weaver along the road, which appears to be hanging in open space...but his intricate web is there to support him...just not visible to us that day because the sun wasn't shining through it for us to see!

 This is what it looked like....

 And here are some other examples of a very large Golden Silk Orb Weaver web:

 Look at that intricate design!!!  Amazing!!!!

Here are a few other interesting webs from around the neighborhood.  Maybe not as neat and tidy as the ones above, but they still get the job done!

These next pictures I took a couple of years ago at our back door under the light one evening. I was just amazed at the many layers of these masterpieces:

These remind me of a galaxy far, far away...

Here is an interesting Proverb I discovered about the spider:

Proverbs 30:24-28

"24. There are four things which are little on the earth, but they are exceedingly wise: 

25.  The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their food in the summer;

26.  The rock badgers are a feeble folk, yet they make their homes in the crags;

27.  The locusts have no king, yet they all advance in ranks;

28.  The spider skillfully grasps with its hands, and it is in kings' palaces."

I know this hymn written by St. Francis of Assisi didn't mention spiders specifically, but it still fits:

1. "All creatures of our God and King,
   Lift up your voice and with us sing,
   Alleluia! Alleluia!
   Thou burning sun with golden beam,
   Thou silver moon with softer gleam!
   • Refrain:
     O praise Him! O praise Him!
     Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
2. Thou rushing wind that art so strong,
   Ye clouds that sail in heav’n along,
   O praise Him! Alleluia!
   Thou rising moon, in praise rejoice,
   Ye lights of evening, find a voice!
3. Thou flowing water, pure and clear,
   Make music for thy Lord to hear,
   O praise Him! Alleluia!
   Thou fire so masterful and bright,
   That givest man both warmth and light.
4. And all ye men of tender heart,
   Forgiving others, take your part,
   O praise Him! Alleluia!
   Ye who long pain and sorrow bear,
   Praise God and on Him cast your care!
5. Let all things their Creator bless,
   And worship Him in humbleness,
   O praise Him! Alleluia!
   Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,
   And praise the Spirit, Three in One!"
6. 
   

Okay, here's a couple more pictures that have nothing to do with spiders.  These were taken on our ride to take our son to work  (yes, the car situation is still a work in progress...the old car is "toast"...cannot be fixed, so it is being taken to the junk yard as we speak. Now back to search for the "perfect" vehicle for a very low price!)

The Sand Hill Cranes enjoying their morning walk and "Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag:

 These two Sand Hill Cranes were enjoying a different walk along the pond in the neighborhood:

And this was the sky yesterday morning along the road:  (more of God's Artistry!)

Okay, that's all folks! Hope you enjoyed this web of God's natural artistry today!!

Now, let's follow the web over to Deb's place at Breathing in Grace (here) to see what our other Friday Foto Friends are posting!  Have a blessed and beautiful day...and watch out for those spider webs along the way! Don't get tangled up in a web of mystery...but stay focused on our Master Designer/Creator and enjoy all the beauties He has displayed for us to behold!!