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Come into my parlor...


Come into my parlor...
Photo Information
Copyright: Jay Meeuwig (Shoot_Score) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 445 W: 303 N: 669] (2370)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-07-12
Categories: Spiders, Flowers, Bushveld
Camera: Fuji FinePix 3800
Photo Version: Final Version, Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-03-14 9:52
Viewed: 1162
Points: 26
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
... aka Ambush Artist

Reminiscent of a line from "The spider and the fly", a 19th-century poem by Mary Howit: "'Will you walk into my parlor?' said the spider to the fly". In it, a spider attempts to lure a fly into its web and finally succeeds by flattering the fly endlessly until it enters. Crabspiders do not flatter! Nor do they weave a web. They basically are so camouflaged on flowers that flies don't appear to see them. The crabspider are simply lying in wait ready to ambush the unsuspecting visitors... This tactic works very well; here is proof...

What warms my cockles in the wintertime, is looking thru my summer shots. Several years ago I discovered thru the macro abilities of my cameras that there was a lot more to my yard than birds, bees and flowers...
This was especially so as I let my acreage go back to nature. No cultivated greenhouse flowers here. Only natural stuff, that volunteered one way or another. I noticed a tremendous increase in "wildlife", including spiders:

""Crab spiders make up the Arachnidae family Thomisidae. They are also commonly called "flower spiders" because they are most often found on flowers, lying in ambush for prey. Crab spiders do not build webs to trap prey, but are active hunters much like the jumping spiders (Salticidae).

They are called crab spiders because of their first two pairs of legs, which are held out to the side giving them (with their flattened, angular bodies) a crab-like appearance. Also, like crabs, these spiders move sideways and backwards more easily than forwards.""

Source: Wiki

This specimen I shot on the daisy was a pale yellow. Others in the same group were white. All had those pink-maroon markings on their sides. This Crab Spider, ( Misumena vatia ), is also known as a Flower Spider or Goldenrod Spider. It is able to change colour to match the flower it is "hiding" on while waiting to pounce upon pollinating insects. Females are 6 to 9 mm long, males are smaller: 3 to 4 mm.


I thought I would show a shot of the arachnid that is patiently waiting for a stupid fly. Notice that the lil "thunderbugs" are of zero interest to our spider...

PS Anyone interested in identifying spiders should use this link.


PSS: I am reposting this photo after the "refreshing" of same by Howard Cheek. I want to thank Howard for his help [ Photo shot with handheld camera. Some PP ]
Silke, marhowie, heidi, PaulH, dew77, Silvio2006, anniejo, JPlumb has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To JPlumb: And great notes, I learned something.Shoot_Score 1 03-15 05:40
To marhowie: Nice job on the repost ;)Shoot_Score 1 03-14 11:57
To Silke: It really takes a moment to spot this guerrilla lShoot_Score 1 03-14 10:35
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Silke Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 727 W: 98 N: 1694] (5406)
  • [2007-03-14 10:30]
  • [+]

It really takes a moment to spot this guerrilla lying in wait!
Superb colours and details
TFS
silke

Hi Jay,
Ahh yes, we're on a run then :)
Great capture, the title fits the pose perfectly mf.
Nice job on the repost ;)
Howard

  • Great 
  • heidi (68)
  • [2007-03-14 11:14]

Hi Jay,
Great phto of an ugly spider :) That's why I don't shoot in the fields... The details are perfect such as the dof and the colours! But I confess... it give me the creeeps...
Friendly,
Aida

  • Great 
  • trinko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 593 W: 79 N: 323] (4314)
  • [2007-03-14 11:19]

nice macro but it might benefit from increased contrast and some sharpening.

  • Great 
  • PaulH Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1112 W: 23 N: 3660] (13089)
  • [2007-03-14 11:21]

Hi Jay,

this shot gives me a curious mixed feeling, both of a little fear (i am a big baby with spiders and insects), and a lot of enjoyment from the wonderful flower! Superbly composed with great natural colours...very well done. I'm just glad those spiders don't get any bigger...do they???

Paul

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4774 W: 294 N: 4020] (13209)
  • [2007-03-14 12:26]

Hello Jay,
Beautiful close up.3D effect is amazing.I liked clear details,framing,comosition and especially POV a lot.
TFS...:-)

bonjour jay
superbe,belle pose de l'araignée a l'affut,a t'elle reussi a attraper une proie?
moi je n'ai pas eu cette chace ni hier ni aujourd'hui et pourtant l'appareil etait pres pour "immortalisé" le moment.
bravo.
laurent

Hi Jay, great capture full of splendid colors, lovely details, wonderful composition, very well done, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • MMM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 922 W: 0 N: 1986] (8917)
  • [2007-03-14 19:33]

Hi jay
Very nice capture , splendid shapness 6 colours.I also like the DOF

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1169 W: 1 N: 5208] (17609)
  • [2007-03-14 21:42]

Hello Jay,
Great macro, here Jay, depth of field, details and colors are all excellent. Thanks for the link for spidey identification.
Rick

Nice "standout" away from the background.
An interesting shot; spider almost looks like it is posing for this one!!
Wonder how LONG it had to sit there awaiting dinner!!

Good composition.....great colors.....
wonderful POV!!

Very neat shot Jay. I will need to be more observant when I look at flowers. Good compo on this one with the trap baited waiting to spring. Very nice detail and colours. And great notes, I learned something.

Thanks, John

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2007-03-15 21:55]

Hello Jay

Excellent lying in wait shot.The spider is almost in a yoga like pose.Very clear and with sharp details.The colours are very natural too.Well done.TFS

Rob

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