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Crab Spider

Discussion

10 replies
Posted by Matt Cole on June 11, 2012 at 10:41 AM
Crab Spider
I've been trying to photograph Crab Spiders for some time and recently got my chance. I believe this one is a female Misumena vatia.

Canon 7D with MP-E 65mm macro lens (at a little over 1x magnification), f14, 1/160, ISO 100, diffused MT-24 Speedlite.

This spider was surprisingly co-operative and allowed me to get some images at 3 and 4x lifesize, which I may post at a later date if there is any interest.

All C+C welcome.

Matt :toast:
Posted by David Sewell on June 11, 2012 at 10:54 AM
It stands out well against the colour of the flower. I like the angle, it looks as though it is trying to lean out and grab you, which I guess is not a million miles from the way it hunts anyway!

David
Posted by Neil Burton on June 11, 2012 at 11:31 AM
Hauntingly beautiful Matt.
Posted by keith mitchell on June 11, 2012 at 11:39 AM
Matt another amazing image from you.
Posted by Andy Shepherd on June 11, 2012 at 11:48 AM

I've just got to get me one of these :biggrin: . This is excellent Matt, great colours and your use of flash is expertly controlled.

For some reason I only ever seem to find the smaller, darker males ( found 3 this morning ), do the females prefer any particular species of flower?

Andy... :wavey:
Posted by John Robinson on June 11, 2012 at 12:38 PM
Your usual stadard matt.
Andy - Most of the ones here are on Ox-Eye Daisy
Cheers
JR
Posted by Matt Cole on June 11, 2012 at 2:51 PM
many thanks for the comments.

Andy, I haven't seen enough of these to know where to find them regularly, though like John I've heard it said they can often be found on Ox-Eye daisies. The two I've seen this year were on brambles and on what I think was periwinkle.

Matt :toast:
Posted by Andy Shepherd on June 11, 2012 at 3:40 PM

Thanks guys, I'll keep checking out the daisies :toast:

Andy... :smile:
Posted by Nick Mckeown on June 11, 2012 at 4:25 PM
Very strange looking spider Matt, never seen one. I think the purple flower sets off the white spider very well. Very detailed and well composed.

Nick. :toast: :toast: :wavey: :smile:
Posted by Barry Southon on June 12, 2012 at 7:42 AM
Matt

Superb as per your usual standard. The choice of colour sets a fantastic impact.

:wink:
Posted by Andy Astbury on June 14, 2012 at 3:53 AM
Brilliant mini-monster Matt - as always :toast: :toast: