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Hi Hot Legs!


Hi Hot Legs!
Photo Information
Copyright: Paul Prince (PDP) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2964 W: 366 N: 3848] (11755)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-05-08
Categories: Spiders
Camera: Canon EOS 20D, Sigma 50 mm 2.8 EX Macro, Digital ISO 400, Hoya skylight (1B)
Exposure: f/13.0, 1/160 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2005-08-02 19:01
Viewed: 2507
Points: 32
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Pardosa amenentata(?) (I'm pretty sure of the species but not 100%).

I took this back in May. The BG is not great but I feel this is is a good shot in terms of what it captures. It also cost me dearly as I had to lay amongst stinging nettles and an ant nest to get it! Despite the pain (:-)) I watched these spiders for a long time. There were a few females but it seemed many more males.

This picture shows the courtship display of a wolf spider. The male is on the left and the female is on the right. The males are able to detect where the female is, or has been by detecting/tasting her scent/chemical signal. The males will even do their strange little display to an empty space where a female has been. It was quite funny watching these spiders. The females appeared to want male attention as much as they wanted a hole in their head, they were not agressive toward to males but indifferent until the male got too close - then she made her feelings known with actions - or ran away (sound familar chaps?).

The male's display is so much fun to watch. He raises legs, vibrates legs, vibrates his abdomen and raises his dark palps in a semaphore like display. Sometimes two males were in competition with one female. It was very amusing seeing them both signalling only to get the female turn her back. Quite often the two males would break from signalling and fight each other.

The males don't live for long and they are probably few if any left. The females will live long into late summer.

I'm looking forward to next May when I can watch this again.

I hope you like it.
marhowie, Janice, LordPotty, Fisher, AndyB, Comandante, dew77, halki, Paulosousa, bedford67, electra, Signal-Womb, klemmg, gerhardt, Luc has marked this note useful
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ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Signal-Womb: ThanksPDP 1 08-03 17:27
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3452 W: 144 N: 5895] (17468)
  • [2005-08-02 20:09]

Sorry about the stinging nettles Paul, but I think they were worth it!
The interesting notes explain to us very well what we are seeing. The females not silly, is she? And long life to her too!
Nicely captured, I wish they were a bit easier to see, but the 2 spiders are both well focused, no soft bits at all. Good exposure, DOF and details. Well shown, thank you.

  • Great 
  • Fisher Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1540 W: 309 N: 2234] (8915)
  • [2005-08-02 22:34]

Hi Paul,
Excellent position of view of these two. Well done on the capture and excellent presentation. Your lighting is spot on. TFS.
Cool.

Mike

  • Great 
  • AndyB Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1592 W: 32 N: 1361] (3978)
  • [2005-08-03 2:34]

Hello Paul,
A very good capture.
Nice lighting and excellent DOF.
I was watching these in our garden back in May and it was fascinating watching them.
You've captured this scene very well and your note is great too.
Well done.

TFS

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2830 W: 75 N: 8024] (26861)
  • [2005-08-03 4:03]

Hi Paul!

Not your best on quality field, but very interesting scene. It looks almost like duel scene from old westerns. Note is excellent, same as captured moment. I hope next May you'll capture it again!

Hello Paul!
Wonderful scane.Clear details,sharpness and composition are perfect.Thanks for sharing.

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5171 W: 297 N: 4050] (13069)
  • [2005-08-03 4:55]

Hello Paul!
Wonderful capture.3D effect,sharpness,details,POV and composition are perfect.TFS...:-)

  • Great 
  • halki Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 253 W: 8 N: 105] (467)
  • [2005-08-03 5:50]

Hello Paul!
Very nice shot.Details are razorsharp.I liked the composition.Thanks for posting.

Excellent scene you've captured Paul. Very good details, DOF, sharpness, colors and light. I really enjoyed the note on the courtship behavior, Very well done!

Hi Paul,
Indeed, it is a good shot! The composition is very well made and the event is well deserved considering your torment suffered by the ants ;-)
Your note is of an extreme utility, thank you Paul.
Cordially,
Jean-Patrick

Hi Paul,
yes I like this shot. And spiders are interesting insects too. This is a very nice picture. With very clear details and perfect cleat colours. Well done.

BR
Martina

Good capture Paul, I find the shot interesting and the light, dof and POV have been well handled. I think the composition is to tight on the legs. 6/10 Well done.

  • Good 
  • klemmg Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 302 W: 40 N: 484] (1719)
  • [2005-08-03 18:06]

Very interesting scene you captured, and excellent note.
Cheers,
Gabi

It is a very nice composition with the spiders on both sides. I might suggest a little bt more space to the left and right but it's a minor nit. You did really well to get both into the DOF here, Paul.

  • Great 
  • CTP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 774 W: 6 N: 1107] (3183)
  • [2005-08-06 23:25]

Great Macro Shot Paul.
I like the sharpness,focus,bg,dof&pov.TFS
CT

  • Great 
  • Luc Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2058 W: 315 N: 4404] (14713)
  • [2005-08-09 19:18]

Sorry Paul, I have no time to write a proper comment. I give to you the well deserved smily.

An interesting scene and a good note to match.
This post is a perfect example of what TN should be about - learning about nature.
TFS!

Very nice decisive moment capture here.
Good notes and nice composition.
Scott

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