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Stranglehold

Gallery: Macro & Close-upPosted February 4, 2013212 views15 comments

This shot speaks to the drama often seen in the macro world, it needs no explanation.
Although the image has its shortcomings, it's special for me because it was near the beginning of my love affair with photography. Made 8 years ago with my first DSLR, the Canon 20D. The 20D/Sigma 150mm f/2.8 combo really helped to open my eyes to natures world of small, and there was no turning back

Comments

15 comments

Comment posted by Lucy VanSwearingen on February 4, 2013 at 2:24 PM

Definitely dramatic! I can see how this shot meant a lot to you!

Registered on May 23, 2009, 800 Posts, 2042 Comments

Comment posted by Verdon on February 4, 2013 at 2:40 PM

Howard large version looks great with nice details, well done

Registered on June 10, 2011, 147 Posts, 1444 Comments

Comment posted by Rebecka on February 4, 2013 at 3:03 PM

The action at the macro level is indeed amazing. And to think these kinds of interactions take place all around us all the time, and we are largely oblivious. Wonderful that you were there when this was taking place, noticed it, and had (or were able to get) your gear in time for a great action shot. This is quite a small spider to be attacking the bee. Does the spider consume the bee after killing it?

Registered on February 5, 2009, 170 Posts, 924 Comments

Comment posted by Daniel & Loana on February 4, 2013 at 4:47 PM

Dramatic but very interesting. I like the POV.

D&L

Registered on October 7, 2008, 166 Posts, 3044 Comments

Comment posted by David E Lester on February 4, 2013 at 5:46 PM

Great action (meal) shot, color and detaile is excellent!!

Registered on March 24, 2010, 155 Posts, 793 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on February 4, 2013 at 6:17 PM

Hi Rebecka,
[Does the spider consume the bee after killing it?]
The crab spider "consumes" the bee by "drinking" in its bodily fluids. When it's done, one can notice an enlarged abdomen as well..
Go figure

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by scott lanz on February 4, 2013 at 8:26 PM

An oldie but a goodie, Howard. Lots of drama for sure. I like the unimpeded look at the action, and the terrific detail. That's one strong spider with a powerful and deadly bite!

Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on February 5, 2013 at 12:14 AM

Nice true life action capture! Sometimes the small world around us is full of surprises and opporltunities for photographers. Thanks for sharing photo and your comments.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by RL Potts on February 5, 2013 at 2:54 PM

I enjoy shooting these spiders too. Sometimes you will find one with a large butterfly or bumblebee. They are tough little ladies. Males are much smaller. Occassionally I will find one missing a leg, but still bagging big game. All neat stuff for sure, but more importantly, they are large, colorful, easy to photograph, and have a beautiful flower for a setting. They will often ignore you while you set up a tripod and focus closely. Next to photography, I like telling people that when they sniff a flower, they may be also sniffing a spider. Thanks for posting. And nice action image.

Registered on November 24, 2003, 188 Posts, 985 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on February 6, 2013 at 5:25 PM

I'm always amazed at how these little crab spiders grab much bigger prey. Well seen.

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by Larry Lynch on February 7, 2013 at 7:10 PM

Boy, that brings back memories, the 20D. I sometimes think I got better macro shots from that camera than I do with these new fangled things we use today. What a beautiful capture of this drama!!

Registered on September 16, 2006, 773 Posts, 9940 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Graham on February 8, 2013 at 12:12 AM

I would have never guessed that a spider could take on prey that big. The action is great, Howard, and you captured good detail. It is amazing what you can see once you start looking for the small things. I am finding this out after getting a set of extension tubes.

Registered on August 22, 2006, 842 Posts, 2824 Comments

Comment posted by Eirini Pajak on February 8, 2013 at 6:31 AM

It's amazing to see a spider catch a bee like this! I have seen it once before, but I wonder how often it really happens!

Registered on December 13, 2011, 216 Posts, 1671 Comments

Comment posted by James Allen on February 13, 2013 at 4:57 PM

Well shot Howard. Every day we miss so much happening right in front of us.

Registered on December 10, 2012, 14 Posts, 232 Comments

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on February 16, 2013 at 10:39 PM

Hi Howard

You certainly know how to capture drama, you should be in hollywood

Albert Darmo

Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments