The best tactic is to stop, and immediately back away...

The Golden Orb spider: Genus - Nephilia.  The name comes from the Greek Nen, meaning to spin, and Philos, meaning to love.   Thus "loves to spin." 

Her elaborate web, spun of gossamer filaments of sticky silken strands, extending from here to there, from that twig to that leaf, to that weed, back and forth, around and around, up and down, each portion connected and interconnected, until, there she is, poised at the center, head down, waiting…

Glands in her body produce xanthurenic acid, two quinones, and an unknown compound that are all secreted into her body to adjust the intensity of the gold in the web.   

The large female sometimes attains a body length of over two and a half inches in length.  This impressive spider usually feeds on insects such as moths, grasshoppers, and other spiders, but there have been cases where they have eaten small birds and snakes.   

This weaver of dreams pounces, grabs her latest victim with her front two legs… and stabs.  

The long hollow fangs inject a poison that doesn't kill, but paralyzes.  Then she wraps her victim in a shroud of silk; fresh meat to be eaten at her leisure.  (Not a very pleasant idea to hang there in the spider’s pantry, all trussed up, waiting to be eaten.) 

Some Golden Orb Weavers have been observed creating quite extensive webs.  I have seen them over twenty feet across.  They also will build their elaborate sticky structures high in the tree tops; the advantage of that, at least for humans, is you don't have to worry about walking into the web!

But then there are those times while hiking that one does indeed blunder into the web of a Golden Orb spider, a decidedly unpleasant experience, I might add.  When this happens, the best tactic is to immediately stop, and slowly back away.   The strands will usually detach and pull away, leaving you with no more than the sweet memory of the encounter. 

Though an unpleasant experience, walking into the Orb Weaver’s web is not likely to precipitate a bite.  Such an encounter usually sends the spider fleeing, seeking no more than to place as much distance as possible between you and herself.  Thankfully, it is almost as though she realizes that you are far too big to eat. 

AN OUTDOORSMAN’S PRAYER

 Father God, please help me to avoid the devil's traps.  He, like a spider, lurks, waiting for his victim, ready to pounce on a moment's notice.  Sin is similar to the spider's venom; once we fall into it, it be-numbs, and paralyzes, weakening its victims' resistance, and rendering  them helpless.  Father, please protect me from the wiles of that most deadly spider, Satan, he that was once called Lucifer.  Protect me, and show me your way that I may walk in it and avoid his deadly snares.  Thank you Father, thank you and praise you, O Holy One. In Jesus' name I ask this, Amen

Charles Towne