Orb Weavers' October arrival, first fall foliage

Orb Weaver Spiders Are Everywhere! Late summer rains have increased the insect population, which means well-fed spiders, and well-fed spiders have the energy to create more spiders. Right now, that means a lot of Orb Weavers, so named because of their circular webs woven along radiating spokes. The males, notably, are smaller than females, and rarely build webs, which can span enormously large gaps between houses or just fill in a narrow walkway. Evenings and early mornings are the prime time for web facials, but no need to worry: they aren't venomous and almost always choose to scurry away before biting.

A newly fallen leaf having landed upon a pile of decaying autumn leaves in Mast Park, Santee.

Leaves Are Beginning to Turn in coastal San Diego County’s riparian woodland and oak woodland habitats. The summer-green crowns of willows and sycamores are already fading to yellow and brown. Down at ground level, the deciduous poison oak is flushing red. Some good places for autumn walks to take in the foliage over the next couple of months include San Clemente Canyon (Marian Bear) Park adjacent to Freeway 52, Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve north of Mira Mesa, and Wilderness Gardens Preserve east of Pala in North County.