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Caught in a Trap


Caught in a Trap
Photo Information
Copyright: Vinny Blood (Vinster) Silver Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 21 W: 0 N: 118] (438)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-08-25
Categories: Spiders
Camera: Canon Digital Rebel 300D, Canon EF 100 mm F2.8 Macro USM
Exposure: f/2.8, 1/1000 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-07-14 6:18
Viewed: 254
Points: 6
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Male Raft Spider (Dolomedes fimbriatus) eating male Black Darter (Sympetrum danae). The Raft Spider is one of the biggest UK spiders and is a powerful hunter. It takes its name from its ability to skate over the surface of still water. It can even break the surface tension to dive under to either escape from predators of to catch prey - even small fish!

Another hunting technique I have seen them employ is to string a few grass stalks together to make an enticing perch for dragonflies and damselflies. They wait motionless and then grab the insect when it lands - which is exactly what had happened in this photo. This shot was taken on one of my favourite local walking areas. There are plenty of ponds and boggy areas that suit this species, plus an abundance of prey.

When I took this shot in summer of 2006 we'd had a prolonged drought and I was able to access areas normally way too marshy to walk on. Unfortunately I'd only just started learning to use my DSLR and I should have chosen a way higher f-stop to gain a greater DOF. Some flash or a reflector would also have helped bring more detail up. I still like the shot because of the light, and it's one of those poignant life and death moments.

Kind Regards

Vinny www.vincentblood.com
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Critiques [Translate]

Nice bit of work there, good timing to get this shot. The wings have a gossamer look to them, lovely detail to the veins. tfs, regards h

Great shot of the raft spider - really shows the sort of prey they can tackle. Great light on the darter's wings makes them appear almost glass like. Cheers Steve

  • Great 
  • cloud Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 103 W: 57 N: 182] (1717)
  • [2008-08-15 1:30]

Hello Vinny,
Great moment, tragic scene and good composition. Interesting light.
Regards, Pawel

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