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Nephila clavata


Nephila clavata
Photo Information
Copyright: Ram Thakur (ramthakur) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3295 W: 167 N: 9912] (32154)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-10-18
Categories: Insects
Camera: Nikon D200, Sigma EX 105mm F2.8 DG Macro, 58mm UV
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/400 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-10-16 7:48
Viewed: 295
Points: 46
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I shot this colourful big spider at an altitude of about 6500 feet in my native place in the lower Himalayas last year. There were hundreds of these female spiders sitting still at the centres of their intricate webs woven on bushes on the banks of a hill stream at the edge of an alpine forest.
The ID of this spider is quite correct, though the note below taken from Wikipedia has a Japanese perspective. Apparently, this spider is found in plenty in the western Himalayas too and not only in Japan or the neighbouring countries.

Nephila clavata is a member of the golden orb-web spider group. The spider can be found throughout Japan except Hokkaidō, in Korea, Taiwan and China. Due to the large size as well as the bright, unique colors of the species of the female Nephila, the spider is well-favored in Japan.

Nephila clavata pass winter as eggs and scatter as tiny larvae in the spring. The female's body size is 17-25 mm, while the male's is 7-10 mm.

The web of female Nephila can reach one meter in width; the yellow threads appear rich gold in sunlight. The structure of the web seen in cross section is unusual for an orb web; it has 3 layers: the central orb, plus 2 irregular layers in front and behind the orb.

The adult female individual has stripes of yellow and dark blue, with red towards the rear of the abdomen. In autumn, smaller male(s) may be seen in the female's web for copulating. After mating the female spins an egg sack on a tree, laying 400 - 1500 eggs in one sack. The life cycle ends by late autumn or early winter.

Researchers at Shinshu University, Japan have succeeded in creating a silk thread that is stronger, softer and more durable than conventional silk by genetically modifying silkworms with Nephilia drag line genes. A Japanese manufacturer is already experimenting with the thread, and spider socks, stockings and even fishing lines are expected to appear on the market within a few years.

Thanks for looking.
roges, ellis49, matatur, marhowie, sranjan, parasbhalla, nglen, horias, Noisette, nazirbadar, anel, uleko, maurydv, goldyrs has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • roges Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 595 W: 0 N: 507] (3040)
  • [2009-10-16 7:58]

Hi Ram,

Very nice this macro. Excellent detail with some sharper.
Beautiful colors.
Have a good day,
Adrian

Hello Ram,
you have captured a beautiful spider, the colours are really something.
It hanging in a nice pose, and the POV is also good.
Sharpness and DOF are on top.
Well done, my friend

Have a nice week end,
/Gert

Merhaba my friend,
Such a beautifully executed close up of this colorful spider, with all of its long legs in frame and pin-sharp! Even the back lighted web is pleasantly visible against that finely OOF BG. Thanks also for the rich notes Ram.
Cheers,
Mehmet

First I would like to say thank you for your comments..
It's nice to be appreciated :)
Love your spider. They are one of the most difficult macro subjects, especially when photographed on webs.
It's well composed with good details, colors, and a nice POV.
All this needed was some light fill to bring up those shadowed areas..
Well done my friend.

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1977 W: 6 N: 5525] (19661)
  • [2009-10-16 8:36]

Hi Ram,there are a lot of stranges species in your country and this is a another fantastic example.What a beautifuls colors and strange design on the body of this spider!Excellent sharpness and details,the best way to show the quality of this impressive specie.Thanks for share,have a nice weekend,LUCIANO

  • Great 
  • eev Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 67 W: 34 N: 65] (744)
  • [2009-10-16 8:38]

Hi Ram,

Very sharp and nice point of view. Great colors.

Yves

Hi Ram,
An interesting insect of the geometrical construction. Nice photo, beautiful colors, good background.
Regards
Lucja

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2384 W: 94 N: 5493] (17500)
  • [2009-10-16 8:58]

Hello Ram,
A photo in very beautiful colours against the OOF BG. Excellent sharpness with nice details. Good composition and POV. Only the head is a bit dark.
Have a very nice weekend,
Peter

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1899 W: 36 N: 5578] (18516)
  • [2009-10-16 9:07]

Hi Ram sir,
Excellent shot of this huge spider and I like the colours on its abdomen. Very neat and sharp image with perfect light and DOF. Very nice composition. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

Dear Ram Sir,
Great macro catch of this beautiful spider with perfect details, POV & sharpness. The anatomical details of the insect have come out very well on OOF background. I adore your state with great biodiversity. TFS
Regards & wish you a very happy Deepawali: Ranjans

hello Ram
this is a special picture with good details and great sharpness
beautiful colours
greeting lou

Namastay Mr. Thakur ji,

First of all, a very Happy Diwali to you and your family!

Ohh, this is a lovely capture of spider with superb details. I like the great contrast between the colors of the spider and the blurry BG. The sharpness and POV are perfect.

Wonderful work!

my kind regards,
Paras

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2907 W: 34 N: 8619] (32124)
  • [2009-10-16 10:40]

Hi Ram. This is a first class close up of this Spider. Which you have taken with fine detai land sharp focusing. Your use of the light has given bright natural colours. It has very long legs . well taken TFS.
Nick..

  • Great 
  • horias Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 387 W: 59 N: 854] (3948)
  • [2009-10-16 11:05]

Ram
Yes, a capture make like a teacher!
Great details, lovely colors,wonderful light good POV,BG!
Congratulation!
Horia

Hello Ram
a wonderful capture of this spider and his web
in reality i hate spiders especially they with long legs Brrrr....
but in photos, i am not afraid about them anyway and this one is very beautiful
i like the coloration of his body, the fine details and the nice BG
Have a great WE
Jacqueline

The details captured are just amazing.
The shadow of legs on body of spider is adding to the drama.
very well balanced picture.
Your useful note made the picture more interesting.
Greetings and regards
Nazir

  • Great 
  • demeve Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 603 W: 11 N: 1627] (5989)
  • [2009-10-16 21:23]

Ram my friend, It's been a long time since I have seem your pictures, after a long stay in Brazil I'm finally back. I really enjoy seeing your pictures, like this spider that you have composed and framed very well... I'll be back for more!

Everton

  • Great 
  • anel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1722 W: 0 N: 3901] (15676)
  • [2009-10-17 4:45]

Hello Ram,
You present here a very colorful and impressive spider. And these amazing black legs (grr).. You have made a very powerful and striking composition. The light also is excellently caught showing very well the fine web. Amazing to read that the web can reach one meter!!
Most interesting and well presented posting.
Thanks and kind regards
Anne

Great macro capture of this beautifull spider.Good picture.Best regards.Alin.

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2989 W: 162 N: 941] (2769)
  • [2009-10-18 9:54]

Hello Ram,
This is a magnificent Spider that you've retrieved from your archive! It looks like it's surfing on the web! Excellent clear details and beautiful light and colours.
Have a nice week, not too busy!
TFS and best wishes, Ulla

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2001 W: 226 N: 6845] (24727)
  • [2009-10-18 13:02]

Hi Ram,

What an amazingly coloured spider!
Excellent detail.
Great composition.

Well done,

Joe

Hello Ram,
a superb macro shot of Nephila clavata taken from an excellent POV, very good sharpness and splendid colours, a very pleasing composition with a very beautiful lighting.
TFS
Best regards
Maurizio

For some strange reason, I've simply stopped hearing from you Sir!
i wonder why!The details of this shot are superb!
i love the way you've not played with the shot itself, in terms of PP work!
So that makes this a really awesome shot Sir!
Bravo!
Goldy

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