When a spider wants to make a long distance traverse between two objects, or just wants a quick way to ascend an obstacle, what can he do? Lets find out by watching a male crab spider.
Well, as in ballooning, the spider can jet out a thread of silk, letting it be carried by the wind.
The spider then turns and checks the tension on the web to see if it has snagged a target. In this case, there is no tension, so the spider reels in the thread. I am not sure if crab spiders consume the spent silk.
Another try, in another direction.
This time the tension is right, and the spider quickly disappears from the frame.
And arrives safely at another, more lively flower.
Great sequence! (Dang! You missed the actual rappel! Has happened to me too…)
I know! I have one out of focus shot as he was leaving the frame, but it is a very rapid movement!