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The Hanging Demon!


The Hanging Demon!
Photo Information
Copyright: Joe Kellard (joey) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2001 W: 226 N: 6845] (24727)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-10-05
Categories: Spiders
Camera: Canon Powershot S3 IS, Raynox DCR-250, Digital ISO-80
Exposure: f/3.5, 1/320 seconds
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2008-01-11 2:15
Viewed: 1702
Points: 74
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I'm going to go a little Spider-Crazy over the next few days... I found a load of spider shots on a back-up CD that I have never used! I hope you all like these eight-legged Arachnids ;)

This is a Common Garden Spider in full threat pose!

I hope you like it :)

I have given lots of info on the Garden Spider so here is some info on the morphology of spiders:


MORPHOLOGY
Spiders, unlike insects, have only two body segments (tagmata) instead of three: a fused head and thorax (called a cephalothorax or prosoma) and an abdomen (called the opisthosoma). The exception to this rule are the assassin spiders, whose cephalothorax seems to be almost divided into two independent units. Except for a few species of very primitive spiders (family Liphistiidae), the abdomen is not externally segmented. The abdomen and cephalothorax are connected with a thin waist called the pedicle or the pregenital somite, a trait that allows the spider to move the abdomen in all directions. This waist is actually the last segment (somite) of the cephalothorax and is lost in most other members of the Arachnida (in scorpions it is only detectable in the embryos).


Prosoma

All spiders have eight legs, although a few ant-mimicking species use their front legs to imitate antennae, which spiders lack. Their eyes are single lenses rather than compound eyes, ranging from simple light/dark-receptors to eyes rivaling those of a pigeon (some jumping spiders).

They have pedipalps (or just palps), at the base of which are coxae or maxillae next to their mouth that aid in ingesting food; the ends of the palp are modified in adult males into elaborate and often species-specific structures used for mating. Since they don't have any antennae, they use specialised and sensitive hairs on their legs to pick up scent, sounds, vibrations and air currents.

Spiders lack the ability to chew their food. Instead, like other arachnids, they have a tiny proboscis which they use to suck up the liquid parts of their prey. However, they are able to eat their own silk.


Sense organs

Spiders usually have eight eyes in various arrangements, a fact which is used to aid in taxonomically classifying different species. Most species of the Haplogynae have six eyes, although some have eight (Plectreuridae), four (eg., Tetrablemma) or even two (most Caponiidae) eyes. Sometimes one pair of eyes is better developed than the rest, or even, in some cave species, there are no eyes at all. Several families of hunting spiders, such as jumping spiders and wolf spiders, have fair to excellent vision. The main pair of eyes in jumping spiders even see in color.

Net-casting spiders have enormous, compound lenses that give a wide field of view and gather available light very efficiently.

However, most spiders that lurk on flowers, webs, and other fixed locations waiting for prey tend to have very poor eyesight; instead they possess an extreme sensitivity to vibrations, which aids in prey capture. Vibration sensitive spiders can sense vibrations from such various mediums as the water surface, the soil or their silk threads. Also changes in the air pressure can be detected in the search for prey.


Respiration and circulation

Spiders have an open circulatory system; i.e., they do not have true blood, or veins to convey it. Rather, their bodies are filled with haemolymph, which is pumped through arteries by a heart into spaces called sinuses surrounding their internal organs.

Spiders have developed several different respiratory anatomies, based either on book lungs, a tracheal system, or both. Mygalomorph and Mesothelae spiders have two pairs of book lungs filled with haemolymph, where openings on the ventral surface of the abdomen allow air to enter and diffuse oxygen. This is also the case for some basal araneomorph spiders like the family Hypochilidae, but the remaining members of this group have just the anterior pair of book lungs intact while the posterior pair of breathing organs are partly or fully modified into tracheae, through which oxygen is diffused into the haemolymph or directly to the tissue and organs. This system has most likely evolved in small ancestors to help resist desiccation. The trachea were originally connected to the surroundings through a pair of spiracles, but in the majority of spiders this pair of spiracles has fused into a single one in the middle, and migrated posterior close to the spinnerets.

Among smaller araneomorph spiders we can find species who have evolved also the anterior pair of book lungs into trachea, or the remaining book lungs are simply reduced or missing, and in a very few the book lungs have developed deep channels, apparently signs of evolution into tracheae. Some very small spiders in moist and sheltered habitats have no breathing organs at all, and instead breathe directly through their body surface. In the tracheal system, oxygen interchange is much more efficient, enabling cursorial hunting (hunting involving extended pursuit) and other advanced characteristics as having a smaller heart and the ability to live in drier habitats.


Spinnerets

The abdomen has no appendages except from one to four (usually three) modified pairs of movable telescoping organs called spinnerets, which produce silk. The suborder Mesothelae is unique in having only two types of silk glands - thought to be the ancestral condition. All other spiders have the spinnerets further towards the posterior end of the body where they form a small cluster, and the anterior central spinnerets on the tenth segment are lost or reduced (suborder Mygalomorphae), or modified into a specialised and flattened plate called the cribellum (parts of suborder Araneomorphae), which produces a thread made up of hundreds to thousands of very fine dry silk fibers resulting in a woolly structure that traps prey. The cribellate spiders were the first spiders to build specialized prey catching webs. Later some groups evolved (called ecribellate) that use silk threads dotted with sticky droplets to capture prey ranging from small arthropods to sometimes even small bats and birds.

Thanks!!
jusninasirun, red45, Juyona, rousettus, SelenE, haraprasan, mariki, eqshannon, ellis49, jaycee, NinaM, flashpoint, Adanac, dejo, clnaef, fiyo, angybone, uleko, Ena, Argus, hester, horia, cataclysta has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To ellis49: Thankyoujoey 5 01-11 11:15
To marhowie: Woah! Great workshop!joey 1 01-11 04:20
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello Joe,
Excellent capture of this demon with the flash. It has superb details and clarity and very well managed depth. I like it and well done!
Regards,
Jusni

Hello Joe,
Interesting contents. Good light and sharpness...
TFS
Annick

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2705 W: 74 N: 8864] (30243)
  • [2008-01-11 3:12]

Great news Joe! I'm big fan of spiders and this one looks superb. I like its pose, POV and composition. Different shades of brown look very nice.

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2262 W: 10 N: 2630] (15565)
  • [2008-01-11 3:28]

Hola Joe,
espléndida macro,
pov, magnífico y bello foco...
buenos colores,
saludos

Hi Joe,
Different but very nice macro of Araneus. Great POV and composition. Focus and details also great. Notes informative and good. thanks for sharing
best wishes
AHmet

The POV here makes the shot great Joe.
I think it's an excellent use of flash, bringing out sharp details. The head, palps, and eyes are clearly seen..That's important ;}
Very well done!
Howard
PS - I wondered what a 180 would look like, did a quick flip..Both ways work famously :)

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2405 W: 63 N: 4227] (13822)
  • [2008-01-11 4:19]

Hi Joe,
It kind of looks scary :o) Your POV and the composition are very good. TFS
Have a nice weekend,
Selen

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1978 W: 6 N: 5527] (19673)
  • [2008-01-11 5:06]

Hi Joey,the details of this spider are very impressive,a very good work,thanks for share,Luciano

Hi Joe,
A beautiful closeup shot of this garden spider. Excellent details and the WS by Mr. Howard also looks good. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Hello Joe,

Good composition. Good POV and DOF. Very nice colours also.
Cheers,
Mariki

Gee Joey..Ya' didn't have to:-) It is another in the series of now infamous Joey-Spiders. And another interesting and unique angle as well. To me, nothing in the eight leg variety is "common", although it is a correct term scientifically I suppose..a few more coming I see...well I shall gird with protection...again nice image and good notations.
Bob

Hi Joe,
a fine close-up with with good sharpness and detail.
Bit short DOF for Compact but it's the extra macro-lens.
Well done.

Congrats for you new Canon 400d, it's a very good camera.
Take your time a learn and don't get disappointed when you see the first pictures, it take some times to get use to it.

/Gert

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2493 W: 11 N: 6885] (21912)
  • [2008-01-11 9:59]

Hi Joe,

I'm not fond of spiders - but I love your spider shots. This macro is amazing showing more details than I knew were on a spider. Wonderful colors and background.

Jane

Espectacular encuadre y una efectiva iluminación. Preciosos y naturales colores con un fondo muy acertado.
Un abrazo: J. Ignasi Tejedor.

Hello Joe,
Excellent shot of this well captured of Spider!
very good details in every part of him in good sharpness and natural colouration
nicely done indeed
a great and informative notes
many thanks again
Tony

  • Great 
  • NinaM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 801 W: 3 N: 2100] (6594)
  • [2008-01-11 11:45]

Hi Joey, that's a stunning shot! I am impressed at how much details we find on this one. the DOF est great and lets us see the most important part and I like the sharp edge of whatever the spider is hanging to. Congratulations Joey. Thanks,

francine

  • Great 
  • batu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1059 W: 290 N: 3946] (13340)
  • [2008-01-11 12:12]

Hello Joe,
again an impressive picture by you.
The focus on the frontal parts of the spider is 'more than' exact.
An admirably detailed presentation!
Best wishes, Peter

Bonjour Joe,
C'est une excellente photo. J'aime beaucoup l'endroit de la prise de vue, cette tête qui se détache très facilement d'un bg uni. Le tout avec une très bonne netteté. Bravo !
Antoine.

Hi Joe, splendid spider with wonderful colors, amazing details and great sharpness, very well done, have a good week end, ciao Silvio

hello Joe
great moment for the spider!!!
fantastic shot and super details

best regards sERGIO

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1169 W: 1 N: 5208] (17609)
  • [2008-01-11 17:35]

Hello Joe,
Great macro with splendid point of view, focus and exposure. This results in an amazing image with details the human eye doesn't normally see, thanks Joe.
Rick

  • Great 
  • jossim Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1575 W: 5 N: 2181] (12250)
  • [2008-01-11 19:40]

Bonsoir Joe,

SUPERBE!!
Joseph

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1899 W: 36 N: 5579] (18518)
  • [2008-01-11 23:25]

Hi Joe,
Just marking this wonderful shot from you for now and will come back.
Sumon

Bonjour,
Remarquables détails avec des couleurs étonnantes.
Bonne journée.
clnaef

  • Great 
  • fiyo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 987 W: 5 N: 2762] (10618)
  • [2008-01-12 2:44]

Perfect shot,Joe!
Sharpness,details and colors are great. TFS

AWESOME DETAILS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WOW!
You capture the eyes wonderfully...amazing!!!
I love your macros.

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2992 W: 162 N: 950] (2789)
  • [2008-01-12 7:29]

Hello Joe,
This one doesn't look nice at all but I do love the colours and your composition is brilliant!! Great sharpness and it stands out very well from the fine dark background.
TFS and cheers, Ulla

Hello Joe,
splendid macro shot, very nice colors, very sharp, excellent focus ansd ideal deeph of field,
well done,
friendly,
Pat

HJoe,
Grrrrr, impressionnant, quels détails , d'une grnade netteté.
Bravo
Maire

  • Great 
  • Ena Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 368 W: 61 N: 591] (2458)
  • [2008-01-12 13:37]

Hi Joe,
Nice macro shot!
Perfect details!
Good POV!
Regards
Ena

  • Great 
  • dejo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 375 W: 51 N: 519] (2238)
  • [2008-01-12 16:13]

Hi Joe,
Magnificent work!
picture is fantastic, nicelly focuse with beautiful details
best regards, Dejan

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2008-01-12 21:00]

Hello Joe

Excellent eye contact!
Wonderful POV and DOF,you are right in the realm of the spider with this one.
Super focus and sharpness of detail.
Nicely done.
TFS
Rob

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3816 W: 190 N: 11348] (34987)
  • [2008-01-13 5:22]

Sorry to have missed this one, Joe!
We were away for a couple of days. But it's nice to see this awesome front-view macro of a Garden Spider with fine sharpness and colours, the use of flash helping with the contrast.
Well done and thanks for sharing this one,
Ivan

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1381 W: 126 N: 5246] (23469)
  • [2008-01-13 10:20]

Great macro Joe ! Very sharp shot, good light and exposure ! Well done my friend ! Thanks,

Mario

  • Great 
  • hester Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1515 W: 18 N: 3165] (11638)
  • [2008-01-14 11:26]

Hi Joe

What a POV, that is amazing. The thumbnail doesn't do this one justice. Great use of flash, amazing details and the DOF is spot on.

TFS

Karan

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2172 W: 218 N: 4383] (14902)
  • [2008-01-16 10:31]

Hi Joe

Finally i got to your nice galley and i actually liked this unique presentation from the moment i layed my eyes on it.
Most of the times we see spiders in a regular pose or on their web...but this is definitely more interesting ;)
I like the details and the sharpness here very much as well as the excellent close-up level.
The flash was very well used in intensity, but sadly it doesn't cover the entire length of the front legs...i think that's the only nit of the pictures otherwise.
Very good composition and presentation, too, my friend.

Bravo and TFS
Horia

Hi Joe
Wow! Fantastic POV. Great idea. Good sharpness, nice OOF background and very informative not
Best wishes
Krzysztof

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