Pictures From the Woods
Predator and Prey
Posted by Bill Ault (GBA, Canada) on 16 September 2008 in Animal & Insect and Portfolio.
A crab spider with deer fly firmly in hand. These spiders don't use a web but lie in ambush waiting for prey to be drawn to a flower.
Addendum: I'd like to thank everyone for taking the time to visit and have a look. By far my most popular photo... so far... and the feedback form the Aminus3 community has been wonderful. Also thanks to Aminus itself for the service itself and for honouring the post as a spotlight of the day choice.
Jason Kravitz from Brussels, Belgium
wow - that is an intense battle
well spotted!
16 Sep 2008 12:40pm
@Jason Kravitz: thanks the white of the crab spider gave it away as I was walking by a stand of flowers I usually check out for some action ;-)
@Stephanie: thanks Stephanie
MaryP from Aberdeenshire, United Kingdom
Wicked! Marvellous! Amazing! What an image!. You certainly had your eyes open when you saw this. Pinsharp too.
16 Sep 2008 5:50pm
@MaryP: Thanks, thanks and thanks again ;-) The sharpness was the most pleasing part.
@marc: thanks marc
Earnest from Oklahoma, United States
Hell of a catch, Bill! (excuse my language) The details are great as is the color. I got one just a few days ago of a similar spider and a butterfly but wasn't happy with the focus and clarity.
16 Sep 2008 10:23pm
@Earnest: wow these guys bring down butterflies as well - I've seen them with flies and bees but never a butterfly that must be a struggle..
Ana Lúcia from Leiria, Portugal
Wow - even more drama in this shot. The perfect wildlife photo.
16 Sep 2008 11:03pm
dj.tigersprout from San Bruno, CA, United States
just amazing! brilliantly seen and captured! bravo!
17 Sep 2008 1:01am
@dj.tigersprout: thanks dj
@Daniel: indeed! A very unique creature I think.
Francesc B. from région parisienne, France
The death in white... excellent and impressive macro... Congratulations for the spotlight !
17 Sep 2008 12:43pm
@Francesc B.: thanks and thanks again it is so neat to have so many people enjoy the photo and comment on it.
@Steve Rice: thanks Steve
@paulski: thanks means a lot coming from someone who does a pretty good job themselves of capturing the insect kingdom.
Eric Fry from Houston, TX, United States
Fantastic action macro, Bill! Congratulations on making the Aminus3 Spotlight!
17 Sep 2008 4:43pm
@Eric Fry: Thanks Eric - it's an honour to be recognized and explains the number of comments and traffic - to be honest I couldn't figure it out....
Lisa Figueroa from United States
Where were you? How did you get this? Were you stalking the spider? Incredible.
17 Sep 2008 8:52pm
@Lisa Figueroa: Lisa - I'd love to claim I spent hours watching and waiting for this little terror to spring her trap but really I was checking out a stand of wildflowers in the back yard that I check almost every day and there she was. The white against the colour of the flower caught my eye and for a moment I could not quite believe what I was seeing....
Magda from Vancouver, Canada
wow! amazing capture! the colour and detail are fantastic!
18 Sep 2008 7:02am
@Magda: thanks magda
@navin harish: thanks Navin
Canon PowerShot S3 IS
1/100 second
F/3.5
72 mm