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Struggle

Discussion

12 replies
Posted by Sandra Hendrikse on February 11, 2008 at 1:50 PM
Some time ago, I came across, a for me rather special scene. A dung beetle entangled in a spider's web, was struggling to escape from a cross spider, which was busy spinning threads around it. It was difficult to focus on both the strongly active beetle and spider, but after some time I managed to take this picture. It don't know the outcome of this encounter, for it was a real marathon session. I'm wondering though, is a spider able to bite and kill a heavily loricated beetle anyway?
Posted by Andy Astbury on February 11, 2008 at 1:57 PM
Cracker of an image Sandra - tack sharp :toast: :toast:

Post your techs on your next image :wink:

I'm no entomologist but my money (if I had any) would be backing the beetle all day long :biggrin:
Posted by PhilH on February 11, 2008 at 2:28 PM
That is a very special scene that you have photographed superbly, love the framing created by the web.

Opposite to Andy my money would be on the spider..... eventually..

Thanks for sharing

:toast: :toast: :wavey: :toast: :toast:
Posted by Tim Munsey on February 11, 2008 at 2:37 PM
Well captured, as Phil says great framing created by the web. How does the spider eat this does it have a tin opener? Nice one.

:toast: :toast: :toast:

Tim
Posted by Paul Inglis on February 11, 2008 at 2:45 PM
Hi Sandra,

My money is on the spider (Never bet against the house! - and it's his house!). Cracking shot with lovely detail! - Nice first post! :biggrin:
:toast: :toast: :toast:
Posted by Ian Andrews on February 12, 2008 at 3:32 AM
Hi Sandra,

yes, a cracking capture that was worth the effort. I bet there were a few OOF ones to get this one! :eek:

For what it's worth, I'd probably back the spider, not that I'm a betting man! :wink:

Ian :smile:
Posted by Mark Fellowes on February 12, 2008 at 5:42 AM
Hmmm, I'm not sure on this one - I'm surprised that the web took the stress of being hit by a flying dung beetle, and the damage to the web bears testament to that - just to be contrary I'll back the beetle. Irrespective of that this is a very nice and interesting behavioural shot.

:toast:

Mark
Posted by Greg Hitchcock on February 12, 2008 at 6:20 AM
Great shot, Sandra, really interesting. Spiders and beetles, two of my favourite animals!

Beetles have soft parts between the amour plating, and spiders usually bite there.

Greg
Posted by Andy Shepherd on February 12, 2008 at 10:53 AM


Hi Sandra , very nice first post , like the subtle hint of blue irredescence on the beetle.

:toast: :toast:

Regards

Andy... :smile:
Posted by Sandra Hendrikse on February 12, 2008 at 12:29 PM
Hi everyone,
Thanks for your positive comments so far and sorry for not giving you the details of the picture at first. Still a bit unaccustomed, I guess.
Well here they are: Sigma 150 mm F 2.8 macro lens, 400 iso, F 7.1, 1/500 and hand-held.

And Greg, thanks very much for your expertise. Knowing this, I assume that the spider eventually came out as winner. Although the beetle was certainly preventing itself fairly well from being fully entangled, the spider on the other hand had lots of opportunities to bite …

Regards,
Sandra.
Posted by David Kjaer on February 12, 2008 at 5:19 PM
Hi Sandra

Great scene and well captured!

David :toast:
Posted by eric weight on February 13, 2008 at 1:08 AM
Wonderful shot. I don't remember seeing an action macro on here before. Looking forward to seeing some more.
:toast: :toast: :toast: Eric
Posted by Jeroen Stel on February 13, 2008 at 10:06 AM
Hi Sandra,

Lovelu shot of this special scenery!
I like how the web on both sides seems to frame the subjects.
Well done!

Greetings,

Jeroen Stel