Arachnophobes, look away now

We noticed something on our Buddha statue this afternoon, perhaps it was a new patch of moss of lichen. You can see it on the Buddha's little finger on his right hand.

A closer look, and it seems to be alive moving. It is in fact some newly hatched spiderlings. From the dark triangles on the yellow bodies we can tell these are European Garden Spiders Araneus diadematus.

European Garden Spider Araneus diadematus spiderlings

They seemed to be searching out every crevice - here they are getting into the Buddha's ear.

European Garden Spider Araneus diadematus spiderlings