^It was semantics. I poorly articulated that part. If i.e. the trees are positioned directly east and west of each other, and the wind consistently blows in one direction, it would be a strategy the spider could employ each night… If the wind blew more from the north or south,it would seem to cancel ballooning as an effective, efficient mode of moving from tree to tree.
Think of the trade winds that the Polynesian people used. The triangular wind currents made sailing easier at a time when there wasn’t much technology. Consistent wind patterns can help,or shape animal behavior. Even humans’...
I observe spiders often, and they kind of develop a pattern, and either they thrive, or die based on their initial decision. Sometimes they will move their spot,but most just stay the course. Even nightly Web builders usually stay in the same place. Although it’s obviously not as important to others that stay put.
I would wager that the spider in question sees this area as constant as far as weather patterns and maybe even direction of sunrise and sunset.
It probably doesn’t make its decision to build in a certain location consciously, or cognitively. If it thinks that’s a good spot,no task is too much. It may well walk/drag it’s anchor line the distance each night.
The ballooning tactic isn’t accurate without consistent wind. It’s more for escape, or covering large distance. It is not a controlled flight. The spider is at the mercy of the wind. It seems unlikely that every night the spider accurately plans a ballooning trip from tree to tree. If it overshoots, it will have to walk back to the first tree. With little chance of getting it right nightly,the most efficient way ,to me,would seem to simply walk the Web over each night… Lots of work, but the spider probably doesn’t consider the labor as a factor.
If the method it employs does not give it sufficient time to hang the web,and the man the web,it shouldn’t last long. It should starve to death or move on soon. The Web in question is huge though. It may catch so much food that it’s worth the effort.