<< Previous Next >>

Garden Cross Spider


Garden Cross Spider
Photo Information
Copyright: Robert Brown (Robbrown) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1302 W: 96 N: 2158] (6054)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-08-28
Categories: Insects
Camera: SONY DSC F-707, Carl Zeiss 9.7-48.5, Digital ISO 100
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Araneae (Spiders), Garden Spiders [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2004-08-28 18:43
Viewed: 2678
Points: 22
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This is the 1st Large post I've done since the original butterfly pannel on TE
Probabley the bukiest native spider in the UK, the Garden Cross Spider (Araneus diadematus) so called because on her back is a silver image of a cross. The radial web of this spider is commonly seen alover this country at this time of year as they start to mature up ready to lay her eggs.
She is an insect eater using a large web made up of spokes and a small spiral at the centre made of non sticky silk thread. The rest of the spiral is of a glue studdied thread applied at the end to make the working part of the trap. She then sits at the centre and waits for a fly to hit and stick to the web. She then rushes over and injects it with a paralysing agent, wraps it in silk then proceds to inject it with an enzyme which turns all the flesh into a liquid that she will then suck out.She avoids being stuck in her own web by coating her feet in an oil so they do not stick.When the web gets to full of holes to work properly , usually about 3days she will recycle the web by eating it as it represents a hughe energy out lay by her to produce the silk, (one of the stongest substances gram for gram known to man) and weaves a new web over night.
This one is not yet full grown being only just over 0.5cm long in the body, this could double at least.Her she will wait to get larger and await a calling male who is only 25% her size. I have a referance to him getting a living from her web by scavenging off it. If he manages to mate her rather than become todays meal she will then lay about 800eggs in a yellow sack of silk attached to a twig or post usually fairly sheltered, here she will guard it till she drops dead some time in late autumn the baby spiders emerge as spring warms up and they form a ball for the first day or so, scattering if distrubed they then split up and go there own way.
the images where all taken at different settings and speeds as they where taken over 8hrs in a very changable day.between F2.0 - F8.0 and speeds of 1/80sec - 1/800sec.
Adjustment the usual batch of saturation lightness, contrast, sharpen edges, unsharpmask
mogens-j, izanoza, elihesam, carper, CaptiveLight, ellis49, jhm, Callie, gerhardt, PDP, japie, danbachmann, RAP has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
None
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

A great idea in this format,4 in 1,and thanks for large size,excellent for study,one by one are excellent,with a great details,and I'm wondering about beautuful colors which very well contrasted in a soft light.
also as all of your work,DOF in a fine way managed,and results every one has a great composition,
And thanks for note,I must be back for read it with attention:)
You did great,Robert
Sincerely
Mohammad

very good reportage Robbert,
This is TN what you let us see, good photos each, good colours too, great note. Well Robbert this is good work.

Very nice series of this common spider followed by a very informative note.The colours of this one are nice and warm - colours of mine are more dark brown. Great job you did here getting the web in focus as well as the spider. Pity you did not post a large version to show the details because each frame seems sharp.

Very good serie Mogens.
Nice pictures with good sharpness, nice colors and
a very informative note
Very well done.

Enjoyed reading the note to go with your pictures, and found both fascinating. Thank you

  • Great 
  • jhm Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 660 W: 0 N: 178] (626)
  • [2004-08-29 7:40]

A splendid four in one, Robert, very beautiful, nice sharp and extraordinarily clear, the spider is lovely. Well seen!

This is the look on spiders that make me look for the fly swatter, this really give me the creeps. Spiders are generally vert nice, but not these, this is how you encounter them unexpected ly in a dark corner while working, anf you touch them or their wed - bring on the birds, let them feed! Nice combo you have here, Robert.

Robert, this is my "kraal" (interest) I just love 'em. I would love to capture a bird spider. (sorry Callie, ;)) The set is excellent, great POV's and the details are very sharp. Your note as usual inspirational. Thanx for contributing this spider set.

  • Great 
  • PDP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2952 W: 367 N: 3779] (11765)
  • [2004-08-29 18:37]

I like the film strip effect. Nice series of shots I especially like the 2nd one along where lots of detail can be seen in the mouthparts, leg joints and abdomen. Nice true colours too. I'm working on putting up a series showing some colour variations that you might be interested in. Great note too.

  • Great 
  • japie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1814 W: 100 N: 1904] (5187)
  • [2004-08-30 6:23]

800 eggs! They must have a very high martality rate - otherwise you will be swamped with little spiders. This is an excellent series that is very well supported by your note. Thanks

  • Great 
  • RAP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2524 W: 345 N: 2373] (7405)
  • [2004-08-30 16:19]

Excelente primera LP Robert.
Gran definicion y nitidez, al igual que el DOF.
Muy buena presentacion y notas muy completas.

Excellent first LP Robert.
Great definition and clearness, like the DOF.
Very good presentation and very complete notes.

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF