<< Previous Next >>

Giant spider


Giant spider
Photo Information
Copyright: Chris Chafer (sandpiper2) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1906 W: 107 N: 4875] (16757)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-11-06
Categories: Spiders
Camera: Fujifilm Finepix S5000, Fujinon 10X zoom
Exposure: f/5.0, 1/60 seconds
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Araneae (Spiders) II [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2004-12-01 6:06
Viewed: 22475
Points: 26
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The Golden Orb Spider (Nephila maculata) is a familiar spider found in moister woodland and forest environments throughout tropical Australia. The females of the Golden Orb reach 50mm (nearly two inch) body length. The total leg-span is an imposing 250mm (nearly 10 inches), but they are basically harmless. The male, which shares the corner of the web, has a body only 5mm long and a leg-span of only 20mm. The poor males’ life is short, dying after successfully mating.

This giant spider's common name comes from the soft golden colour of its large web, though the top of the female’s body and parts of the legs are also a golden yellow. In some areas, it is also known as the bird-trapping spider! With a large, strong, permanent web often measuring over one metre (just over 3 feet) in diameter, and strategically placed in flyways between trees, small birds and insectivorous bats sometimes get tangled up in it.
These spiders are not dangerous (though they will bite if provoked), they even allow other small species of spiders to cohabit their web in a symbiotic relationship (each contributes something which benefits the other). Nevertheless, the thick sticky web and huge size is enough to startle even seasoned bushwalkers, if you are unlucky enough to get tangled in the web.
We found this one at Berry Springs in the monsoon forest walk, hope you enjoy your spider dreams tonight.
RAP, PDP, ellis49, Luc, gerhardt, Lourens, Esox, christophe, pmende, LordPotty, Xalkida 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
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To gerhardt: thankssandpiper2 2 12-01 23:00
To Kirsten: lots of nasty creaturessandpiper2 1 12-01 21:55
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • RAP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2524 W: 345 N: 2373] (7405)
  • [2004-12-01 6:20]

Otro acierto Chris... excelente perspectiva para captura la imagen de esta especie gigantesca.
Buen agudeza con correcto DOF y presentacion
Me hubiera gustado ver otra perspectiva como Workshop para observar la cabeza más en detalle.

Another success Chris... excellent perspective for capture the image of this gigantic species.
Good sharpness with correct DOF and presentation.
I had liked to see another perspective like Workshop to observe the head in more detail.

  • Great 
  • PDP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 2821 W: 344 N: 3779] (11769)
  • [2004-12-01 6:22]

Great shot Chris, It was only recently that I found out that this genus were used to extract silk from - as an alternative to silk worms, it proved too costly and the silk wasn't as good in quality as traditional methods. I have some other interesting facts on this genus...another time.

Very nice shot and great note. Well done.

k, i want to go to australie one day, but i'm doubting now i see such a big spider :D
good shot!nice details, good compo and colours.well done!

Very good macro Chris.
Great perspective, very good sharpness and a very good note.
Great work.

  • Great 
  • Luc Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1835 W: 301 N: 4287] (14767)
  • [2004-12-01 7:49]

Good work, Chris, picture and note.
Great DOF here.
Thanks

Great detailed shot with good colouration. Good job Chris

WOW Chris if you post a spider you have my attention. This is a monster by the size of it. I know the Nephilia genus well from SA but the colours on this one is fabulous. Well done I love this!

If you are interested our's can be seen here.

Stunning macro, Chris. Very sharp and detailed. I like your note as well.

  • Great 
  • Esox Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 239 W: 20 N: 344] (972)
  • [2004-12-01 15:03]

A very sharp portrait indeed!
Good composition and DOF, and a very good note.
Great work.

the orange yellow color shows the joint of the paws well, very great shot Chris

Great photo, thanks for all the info too. Well done :)

  • Great 
  • japie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1814 W: 100 N: 1904] (5187)
  • [2004-12-02 8:12]

Very well done, The DOF is very good and so is the sharpness.

Thanks for posting

I don't like spiders at all but this one is a living miracle of Mother Nature! Huge spider! Thanks God it's not dangerous.

Your photo is ideally to show us this spider. Very sharp, good colors and framing!

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF