Colorful spiny orb-weaver spinning its web

This spiny orb-weaver (scientific name Micrathena kirbyi in the family Araneidae) was filmed in the Amazon rainforest of Ecuador in the process of building its web. They are common along the trails in the forest and you have to carry a stick in front of you in order to avoid running into their webs, although these spiders are completely harmless to humans. The bright yellow color warns potential predators such as birds that eight spines on the abdomen make them difficult to swallow!