08 June 2009

Badumna [2]

Badumna and asilidSame event, but photographed using flash (strobe), allowing better depth of field but losing that lovely backlight through the spider's legs. Note how some of the strands of the web appear scruffy and tangled — these spiders don't use glue on their webs but instead spin some strands with this peculiar tangled structure, which entraps prey by catching on hairs, bristles and appendages. The spider lives out of sight in a retreat and on detecting prey struggling in the web, rushes out to deal to it.
All content © 2009 Pete McGregor
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5 comments:

  1. Batteson.Ind9 June 2009 at 09:12

    There's something about close up insects that is very ethereal.... very neat photo.. that must be one hell of a lense !-)

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  2. Chapa9 June 2009 at 10:13

    Great shot.

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  3. pohanginapete9 June 2009 at 11:05

    Watercats, thanks. The lens is excellent, but nothing out of the ordinary (Canon 100 mm f2.8 macro, if that means anything). For close-up work like this I usually use some combination of teleconverter and extension rings, and it almost always requires a flash (strobe) unit on an extension cord. The techniques are pretty standard.

    Chapa, thanks :^)

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  4. John Maslowski9 June 2009 at 13:11

    Magnificent macro, has to be the best spider shot I've seen. Excellent details and sharpness.

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  5. pohanginapete9 June 2009 at 15:55

    Thanks John, that's quite a compliment! :^)

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Constructive criticism is welcomed (I particularly appreciate thoughts on what you like and don't like), but please keep it courteous.