Deception Illuminated

I am amazed by so many small wonders that for me to admit being especially mesmerized by a phenomenon speaks volumes of that phenomenon. Dew formation is just such a wonder.

For me, dew symbolizes the most pure aspects of nature. Pure water condensed from the air as if by magic -- coalescing, adhering and illuminating whatever it touches, often refracting multiple images of what is graced with its proximity.
Beads of crystal innocence held intact by surface tension – the dew drop both the container and the contained. Sunday morning, compelled by almost perfect light and a early morning misty rain, I set out to look for photo opportunities. Nothing specific in mind other than the chance to catch a good shot of a dew drop on a blade of grass, or maybe captured on a flower petal

I soon discovered the added benefit of dew’s properties of adherence and refraction. Things hidden are sometimes revealed. On this particular morning it was beads of dew adhering to spider silk.

The varying size droplets affixed to the webs reminded me of the intricate diamond woven headpieces – something worn by Thracian or Nubian princesses. The web’s proved the perfect medium for condensation. The fine cool fibers collecting equally fine droplets.

Crawling about, water soaking my knees through my jeans, I discovered how easy it was to locate wolf spider tunnels. The dew drops accentuated the tunnel openings I wondered if the spider’s stealth was defeated or enhanced

The tunnel openings were so obvious to me -- would the openings be as obvious to the spider's intended prey, or would the beauty of the diamond beaded tunnels prove mesmerizing enough to lure them closer for a better look perhaps even tempting them to jiggle the web to create multiple images of themselves in the refracting droplest – the vibration signaling the spider to enjoy a distracted but aesthetically pleased meal.