Fairy handkerchief

AKA Fairy Blanket, AKA Trap Hole Spider web.  Henry Thoreau, the great American naturalist and writer, was also Louisa May Alcott's friend and tutor.  When she saw one of these on a walk, he told her that it was a fairy handkerchief. She went on to write a charming book about Flower Fairies, published in 1854 her first full length book, based on stories she told Ralph Waldo Emerson's daughter, Ellen.  I see these often on my lawn. My grandpa called them fairy blankets. (He would also point out fairy circles which i still love to find.)  Sometimes there are several in a small area.  I wasn't able to catch a glimpse of the spider (I have seen them popping in and out before) but I like how the water droplets showed in this photo.  Lots of water droplets will fall today.  A good soaking rain is due, and we need it.  Very cool too but temperatures will rise again on Monday but not the horrible heat we just endured, thankfully.  Studio day for me. I'm starting a new altered book project on, surprise, surprise, fairy tales!  As the twig is bent, so grows the tree.