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Lookin' for Love
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Lookin' for Love

by SandyRichardsBrown

Gallery: Macro & Close-upPosted September 7, 2012308 views7 comments
THis is the time of year in the hot, dry areas of California that the male tarantulas start looking for the females. On a short hike around Mt. Diablo, you can often see hundreds of them stalking around.
They are actually quite timid and gentle, and will not bother people at all unless cornered or threatened, and even then, their bite is not poisonous or even more than moderately irritating.

D300s
18-200mm @ 170mm
1/6 sec, f/16
Mode: Av
Metering: Multi-segment
ISO: 320
AF mode: MANUAL
White balance: AUTO
Flash: Built-in,TTL

Comments

7 comments
Comment posted by Mark Seaver on September 7, 2012 at 5:12 PM
Very nice! The hairy tarantula fits in well with the busy background but still stands out because of it cark color.
Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments
Comment posted by scott lanz on September 7, 2012 at 6:56 PM
Excellent capture, Sandy. I agree with Mark that even though the background is busy, the tarantula stands out well, and the image works in showing him in his environment. I like the pose as he looks like he is about to walk out of the frame. (This image reminds me of Howard's image of a wolf spider with a similar pose posted a couple months ago. Howard ended up doing some PS magic and had the spider stepping out of the image). Great shot of a very impressive subject, Sandy. :toast:
Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments
Comment posted by Howard Cheek on September 7, 2012 at 6:58 PM
Great comp and all the brown & green forest floor litter? adds good interest IMO.
Nice details, soft light, POV, and colors. I missed my opportunity to shoot a tarantula here when I recently spotted one, and it got away.. Was thinking of ordering one on the internet.
I've been here in Texas for 18 years & have only spotted the one this year :frown:
Well done & have a great weekend! :wavey:
Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments
Comment posted by Dennis Plank on September 7, 2012 at 10:29 PM
Very cool, Sandy. Excellent dof and I like the leaf litter bg that gives a sense of season to the image.

:toast:
Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments
Comment posted by Eirini Pajak on September 9, 2012 at 3:02 PM
Yes, this is a rare instance where a busy background can work quite well! He looks quite a bit darker than the ones we have around here! I really like the perspective & motion in his stance that you captured.
Registered on December 13, 2011, 216 Posts, 1671 Comments
Comment posted by Albert Darmo on September 10, 2012 at 10:19 PM
Hi Sandy :wavey: The detail is very sharp, that i can see his furry legs perfectly :eek: :jump: You made the busy BG work well here. A great tarantula shot :toast:
Albert Darmo
Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments
Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on September 11, 2012 at 1:32 PM
I've been waiting for your tarantula post since the middle of August. I couldn't remember when you posted last year but late summer seemed right. I love the way you capture their gentler side and I really like that you appreciate them for own special beauty (or lack thereof) This is a great habitat image with nice colors and wonderful detail. Thanks for sharing
Registered on January 24, 2011, 576 Posts, 6942 Comments