The Spider and the Dragonfly

[BugMan]

This Black and Yellow Argiope was a big'un! It had to be 4 inches in total length, I never knew they could grow so big! But I guess if they can feed on dragonflies, like this one, anything's possible!

http://bugphotography.com/gallery/d/825-2/black-and-yellow-argiope-aurantia_003
[view larger size] (http://bugphotography.com/gallery/insect-macro-photos/arachnids-arachnida/spiders-araneae/black-and-yellow-argiope-aurantia_003.html?g2_imageViewsIndex=1)

[Action_Man]

That is a fabulous image BugMan, do you have anymore of it ? ...

[MBoyle]

how close did you need to get?

[kr88]

This is an amazing capture. What combo was used for this one. I see 20D and 100mm macro??? Great Work!

[cgratti]

Did you use the MPE on this shot? How do you like your MPE?

[spencer87]

gross spider, but nice shot. i dont think i could ever get close enough....

[pxl8]

It's a pity the spider is facing away, seeing it's face would have given it more impact. Tricky one to focus as well because the dominant part of the spider is OOF whilst it's thorax is sharp but in shadow.

BTW, I think posted images should be 800px max.

[Omri Alon]

Great shot :D

[racketman]

the hunter hunted. They are attractive spiders. I shot one last summer with a small hopper. I cant imagine them handling a healthy Dragonfly.

http://i.pbase.com/o4/33/541333/1/54797800.Argiopebruennichifem2lunches.jpg

[dazzlebea]

4 inches?!? You are nuts! You are supposed to run away or faint, definitely not get closer and take pics!!!

The picture is outstanding, to be honest. I love the DOF and the colors and it is super sharp :)

[dazzlebea]

the hunter hunted. They are attractive spiders. I shot one last summer with a small hopper. I cant imagine them handling a healthy Dragonfly.

http://i.pbase.com/o4/33/541333/1/54797800.Argiopebruennichifem2lunches.jpg

Yours is great too:)

[Bald Eagle]

Both are Excellent shots, very sharp, In some areas, there are spiders that can bring down small birds, now that is Scary.:D :D :D

[BugMan]

Thank you all!

Oops, sorry - this wasn't with the MP_E, with the 100mm macro. It was at land's edge, which had a dramatic slope into the pond. I couldn't get the other side without ending up in the pond itself :) and i couldn't get down to get the face without disturbing the web which I did a couple times causing the spider to retreat.

[cgratti]

Thank you all!

Oops, sorry - this wasn't with the MP_E, with the 100mm macro. It was at land's edge, which had a dramatic slope into the pond. I couldn't get the other side without ending up in the pond itself :) and i couldn't get down to get the face without disturbing the web which I did a couple times causing the spider to retreat.


just the straight 100mm macro no extension tubes?? impressive...

[BugMan]

Thank you. Yes just the 100mm with a tripod..

[Leorooster]

That's a great catch, and the spider surely is very big :)

[sw2001]

Great catch - for you and for the spider.

[Athena]

Very impressive. The work of the spider and that of the photographer!

Bea - I'm with you. Run away, faint, scream, all of the above... ;) Which is not to say that upon recovering I wouldn't go back again for a second dose. :D

[dpastern]

Nice shot BugMan, reminds me of a St Andrews, but it's a LOT bigger. Very sharp, reasonably good DOF, would be hard with such a largish spider anyways to keep the DOF sharp all over.

Both are Excellent shots, very sharp, In some areas, there are spiders that can bring down small birds, now that is Scary.:D :D :D

Yup. Australia has a few of those babies ;-)

Dave

[LordV]

Wonderful macro shot- definately 3 Cs :)
Brian V.

[chemicalbro]

nice shot of a bloody big spider :)

[cgratti]

It looks like it can carry small children away...