Signature Spiders (mating)

For five days, after I first saw these two spiders, absolutely nothing happened and then on Sunday, Sep 10, the male transferred from his own web to that of the female. It was "game on" ! I did not know exactly what to expect. I only knew that the male might be able to mate with the female and then he would almost certainly be killed and eaten. The first five pictures shown here were all taken on Sunday. I took too many pictures, thinking that at any moment, the mating would start and I did not want to miss anything. The 4th. and 5th. photos were side views to demonstrate that the female was at the back of her web (presenting a ventral view when I was standing in front). The male was on the front of the web (presenting a dorsal view to the camera. So, the two spiders were "ventral to ventral". Just as I was taking the 5th. photo, a crash of thunder reminded me that it is not wise to stand under a tree when a storm is approaching. So, since my view into the little eyepiece of my camera told me that the spiders were now coupled together, I packed up quickly and went home. When the 5th. photo was displayed bigger on my computer screen, I could see that the male was still 2mm short of his target. I was slightly disappointed, but happy to be home just before the storm arrived. The last picture is one of several that I took this morning and, whilst I can't be sure, I think the the female is busy eating the male for breakfast.