Was going to post another Heath Fritillary but decided to leave that till later.
Came across this scene whilst after damsel and dragonflies on Saturday, very harsh light. Mating Long jawed orb web spiders (cheers Greg), They battled each other for a good 1/2 hour till the lower one finally must have given in and escaped on a silken rope.
Sorry can't help with the ID on this one Phil but I bet you know a man who can.. Aside from that, the image is quite amazing to capture that action and detail without to much movement.. Did you ask them to pause for a moment while you composed the image.. I like this a lot.
this really does look a difficult scene to photograph - a real challenge for DOF if ever I saw one. But you've done it very well Phil, every part of the image is pin sharp and the exposure looks spot on. I can't help with ID either, but it seems unusual to see 2 spiders grappling like this. It's not something I can ever recall seeing.
Mating pair of 'Long-jawed orb-weavers' (Tetragnatha sp.), the larger one being the female. It is more usual to see them mating in the web, but either way it consists of the male holding the female's jaws at bay with his own while he inserts his palps into an opening on the underside of the female's abdomen. You can see the male's palps - a club-ended appendage, one is held out horizontally away from the female, the other you can just see under the female 'doing the business'. He usually alternates these, and when he's done legs it fast.
Cheers Greg......
Was hoping you would be along to clear it up, I had a suspicion that was the case, but they looked so locked in battle, hence the title. I hadn't realised how different the female actually was...
Posted by David Taylor on June 30, 2009 at 11:28 AM
Great action shot, beats boring butterflies anyday IMHO . Expertly taken as usual.
Posted by Kim Connolly on June 30, 2009 at 2:23 PM
A brilliant detailed shot. Superb - and a great setting too!
Better late than never, sorry Phil. Not enough hours in the day!
This image is amazing, and even better than appeared on the back of your camera. Every little leg and whisker pin sharp and a great b/g to boot. Nice one.
Discussion
12 repliesISO400, 1/250 @ f11
ACR5.3 + resize & sharpen CS4
Full frame
Hi,
Was going to post another Heath Fritillary but decided to leave that till later.
Came across this scene whilst after damsel and dragonflies on Saturday, very harsh light. Mating Long jawed orb web spiders (cheers Greg), They battled each other for a good 1/2 hour till the lower one finally must have given in and escaped on a silken rope.
All the best
Phil
Brett
Matt
Mating pair of 'Long-jawed orb-weavers' (Tetragnatha sp.), the larger one being the female. It is more usual to see them mating in the web, but either way it consists of the male holding the female's jaws at bay with his own while he inserts his palps into an opening on the underside of the female's abdomen. You can see the male's palps - a club-ended appendage, one is held out horizontally away from the female, the other you can just see under the female 'doing the business'. He usually alternates these, and when he's done legs it fast.
Nice behavioural shot.
Greg
Was hoping you would be along to clear it up, I had a suspicion that was the case, but they looked so locked in battle, hence the title. I hadn't realised how different the female actually was...
Excellent work.
Yes the Adder lady is still there. Spoke to her yesterday - has a Spotted Fly in the garden.
Cheers
Johjn
This image is amazing, and even better than appeared on the back of your camera. Every little leg and whisker pin sharp and a great b/g to boot. Nice one.
Fran