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Arachne Wishes You a Happy Halloween


Arachne Wishes You a Happy Halloween
Photo Information
Copyright: Silke Force (Silke) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 727 W: 98 N: 1694] (5406)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-09-12
Categories: Spiders
Camera: Nikon D70S, Sigma 18-200 mm (F3.5-6.3)
Exposure: f/5.3, 1/60 seconds
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Where They Really Live [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-10-31 8:38
Viewed: 1139
Points: 42
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I have to admit that I saved this one for today – since I have a touch of arachnophobia (the fear of spiders), I thought it would be a good posting for the spookiest day of the year.

What kind of a spider this is I really do not know; all I know is that she was very big and very fast. She managed to fence off our porch in less than three hours! Fortunately there was just enough light from the door behind me to tell me that there was an enormous web suspended across between the railings, giving me a chance to take a picture before I had to destroy her handiwork.

It took me several tries to get her in focus as there was just not quite enough light and she would not sit still. Moreover, every time the flash fired, she got agitated and ran down the web. I discovered that what she was doing was snipping off the little bundles that now enveloped her prey and carrying them up into a recess under the railing. I thought that was pretty clever for a spider, which made the whole thing even creepier!

Do you suppose she has a touch of revenge on her mind now?

And with that thought, I wish you all a very Happy Hallowe’en


A note on Arachne from Wikipedia (edited for brevity):

The fable of Arachne (also Arachné) is a late addition to Greek mythology. Arachne's name simply means "spider" (αράχνη).

Arachne was the daughter of Idmon of Colophon, who was a famous dyer in Tyrian purple. She was a fine weaver who became so conceited that she began claiming that her skill was greater than that of Athena, the goddess of weaving.

Athena was angered, but gave Arachne a chance to redeem herself. Assuming the form of an old woman, she warned Arachne not to offend the gods. Arachne scoffed and wished for a weaving contest, so she could prove her skill. Athena dropped her disguise and the contest began.

Athena wove the scene of her victory over Poseidon that had inspired the people of Athens to name their city for her. But Arachne's tapestry featured 21 episodes of the infidelity of the gods: Zeus being unfaithful with Leda, with Europa, with Danaë.

Even Athena admitted that Arachne's work was flawless, but was outraged at Arachne's disrespectful choice of subjects that displayed the failings and transgressions of the gods. Finally losing her temper, Athena destroyed Arachne's tapestry and loom, striking it with her shuttle, and struck Arachne on the head as well. Arachne realized her folly and was crushed with shame. She ran off and hanged herself.
eqshannon, fartash, gracious, Argus, nglen, pierrefonds, lise, Luis52, pablominto, Royaldevon, angybone, zenitlady, wallhalla15 has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Don't know about revenge, but do know that my wife tried to squish one yesterday and missed. It crawled on my bed at night and did it bite her? No it bit me. I wonder if there is any moral here..

You actually have used the web to show it's environs as per what it calls home. Very nice and well thought out post. Methinks you do a lot of thinking beforehand. I know. I do it as well..
Bob

Hello Silke
Very intersting shot of this spider,
Perfect focusing,composition and framing,
Welldone.

Regards
Fartash

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1978 W: 6 N: 5527] (19673)
  • [2007-10-31 9:41]

A perfect pic for make a Halloween's advertising,perfect details of spider in a black and misteriuos ground..a very professional work,thanks for share,Luciano

This is a superb post for this "creep crawly" day! It is actually a superb shot for any day! The light on her and the bit of web is stunning. I have to admit to a bit of arachnophobia myself... and this fall has been a bumper year for them here. This is the first spider image I can actually enjoy looking at. Thanks

Evelynn : )

Hello Silke,
Best photo for the right day on posting!
It's a good photo well captured with the right toned colouration!
the exposure and focus you done it well!
perfect sharpness with details
thanks for sharing
cheers
Tony

Hi Silke
Really nice presentation of this spider.
TFS
Ralf

  • Great 
  • jesst Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 375 W: 0 N: 172] (2411)
  • [2007-10-31 10:44]

Very good picture. Sharp insect and web as a wonderful background. Well done!

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3813 W: 190 N: 11346] (34981)
  • [2007-10-31 13:27]

Hello Silke,
The lighting that you used, together with the pose make this spider as if it is looming out of the gloom, making it look sufficiently menacing to be suitable as a Halloween posting. The sharpness and composition are excellent too.
Well done and TFS!
Ivan

Oh Silke, Hallowen on TN too! great idea, wonderful dark composition with splendid spider, good details and excellent sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

Hi Silke,

A nive image of the spider on her web, a good comparison with Halloween, the photo has a good composition, sharpness and nice colors. Thanks for sharing.

Pierre

  • Great 
  • lise Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 172 W: 51 N: 548] (2875)
  • [2007-10-31 16:21]

Hi Silke,
Awesome spider! It looks really spooky on the black bg. Great composition and Happy Halloween to you.
Lise

Encore magnifique, superbe et tellement à propos,la composition ,l'éclairage,les détails tout est excelletn.
Bravo
Marie pts+

  • Great 
  • Luis52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1110 W: 5 N: 3457] (12761)
  • [2007-10-31 21:06]

Hola Silke.- Bella foto, Exelente pose y muy hermoso fondo. Muy buena la nota escrita. Saludos Luis52.

Hello Silke,
A fine capture with great details!
Great composition and a relevant subject for the celebration, I know people who would faint if meeting this creature...
Greetings,
Pablo -

:-) OK-

Excellent spooky posting, Silke!
I really like your composition, including the web as the 'vehicle' in which to show the spider! Lovely framing too!

Kind regards,
Bev :-)

This is an appropriated post and good idea Silke. I like this composition very much and this dark dramatic background :) You know me now, the noise disturbs me a bit but it's still a nice and interesting post :) Thanks!
Claudine

Artistic composition. The dark bg is perfect here. Great angle and pov. Wonderful details.

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2007-11-01 9:19]

Hello Silke

Happy Halloween,Duh I couldn't think of a Halloween theme,a spider 'nails it down'.
A wonderful composition of this creepy crawly in it's beautiful web.
The focus is sharp with excellent details.
The colours are very good.
Very good POV and DOF.
TFS

Rob

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2908 W: 34 N: 8623] (32138)
  • [2007-11-01 10:49]

Hi silke. Great one for today. you have done well with the light. it shows the detail in the spider so well. good colours. all in a nice frame. well done TFs.
Nick..

Hi Silke! Awesome capture, great note! One of your very best--love the composition and just the right amount of spooky! Superlative effort! Linda

  • Great 
  • clnaef Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 778 W: 67 N: 645] (6814)
  • [2007-11-01 23:57]

Bonjour,
Magnifique composition bien cadrée.
Bonne journée.
clnaef

Hello Silke,
this is a very fine shot! Excellent framing, POV and very good sharpness too. Very good lighting and great bg. This is a very good composition with a great note. Thank you.
Gr.
Heinz

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