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Golden Orb Weaver Spider


Golden Orb Weaver Spider
Photo Information
Copyright: Doug Whincup (dougsphotos) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 86 W: 4 N: 176] (761)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-05-28
Categories: Spiders
Camera: Nikon D80, Sigma 70-300 f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/200 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-06-19 0:01
Viewed: 415
Points: 12
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Hi

I saw this beauty just a few feet from the path we were on in a small forest valley between two areas of rice paddies, in central Bali just a few miles from Ubud.

I think it's safe to say it's the biggest wild spider I've ever seen!

The Golden Orb Weaver spider (genus nephila) seems to have a few different names - Golden Silk-Orb Spider, Banana Spider etc etc - it's one of the largest aerial web spinners around I believe - the web must have been over 6 feet wide, and the spider must have been in the region of 6 inches wide - certainly made me jump! They are harmless to humans but allegedly their size and their massive mega-sticky webs have caused a few deaths by people struggling to avoid / get clear of the webs only to find they fall down cliffs / into rivers etc. Their prey is whatever the web catches - mostly large insects but also small birds from time to time.

This is a female - they are up to 5 times larger than the male - wonder who wears the trousers in THAT relationship...? ;-)

Thanks for looking, Doug
aes_thor, horia, Diegaso has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Doug,
Great macro shot of this interesting spider, great details on animal and beb, good colours and contrast. Well done
cheers
Adrian

Hello Doug
I was going to say what a great macro until I read your notes!!..I think you probably needed a wider lense!!...Superb details of the spider and the web...Im being a bit picky now but it would have been nice to see it with something close by for a size comparison...but that said I would have taken with my 500mm and a convertor as far away as I could get!!
All the best
Paul

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3417 W: 144 N: 5803] (17209)
  • [2008-06-19 3:08]

Hi Doug, I saw Golden Orb Weaver spiders in Norfolk Island last year - they are big, aren't they. And harmless too - I believe!!

I think this spider is much bigger than the ones I saw. Good sharpness - super colours and details too. Well done
Janice

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2048 W: 212 N: 3667] (12200)
  • [2008-06-19 4:53]

Hi Doug

Nice to see some local wildlife from your travels :)
This is a magnificent shot of this very impressive species - The Golden Orb Weaver spider. The colors on it are absolutely superb and it appears it also displays a bit of iridescence, which makes her even more attractive for shooting ;)
Spot-on focus and DOF and very good composition, too.

Bravo and TFS
Horia

Doug Hello!

I love spiders in my house I had aracnario, that is creating some spiders, studying their behavior!.
Regarding the photo, good POV, and the "focus" is also very good.
Thanks for the information and the photo that gives us
Very good catch
Greetings from [Tandil - Bs. Ace. -- Argentina]

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1589 W: 242 N: 5308] (18683)
  • [2008-06-19 13:55]

Wow! What a spider!
They are some scary markings that are giving one obvious message: DANGER!
Very sharp and crisp.
Superb DOF and a great BG.
Excellent lighting.

Very well done, Doug!

Joe

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