Spiny-Backed Orb Weaver

[FowlersFreeTime]

We grew up colloquially calling these "crab" or "Crab-backed" spiders. I saw this one in the mango tree today. I don't normally do "nightmare fuel" photography, but I was already there with my macro lens, so why not?

No crop:

• Sony E 30mm f/3.5 Macro
• 30.0 mm
• ƒ/11
• 1/160 sec
• ISO 200

Slightly closer...

• Sony E 30mm f/3.5 Macro
• 30.0 mm
• ƒ/11
• 1/160 sec
• ISO 200

Oh damn, I think she's turned towards me...

• Sony E 30mm f/3.5 Macro
• 30.0 mm
• ƒ/11
• 1/160 sec
• ISO 500

OK, at this point, I wasn't trying to get any closer with a 30mm macro lens, because I would have bumped her web. So instead lets crop in:

• Sony E 30mm f/3.5 Macro
• 30.0 mm
• ƒ/11
• 1/160 sec
• ISO 500

and closer still... hey is that a sun-star?

• Sony E 30mm f/3.5 Macro
• 30.0 mm
• ƒ/11
• 1/160 sec
• ISO 500

 

[alexpler]

Does that even exist?

Awesomely creepy shots. I like the 3rd.

 

[FowlersFreeTime]

I went back with the 18-135 kit lens and a macro extension tube. The spider was still there, but the sun had shifted and a breeze had picked up. the experience was neither fun nor productive. Might try again tomorrow, or maybe I won't and I'll just chalk this one up to "I got lucky"

 

[Deleted Member 5045]

That's a good start on the insect macro mate. The shooting and editing is yet another art in itself.

 

[Roland]

If the are anything like the hawai’i crab-spiders, than are nasty little critters. Nice close ups.

 

[FowlersFreeTime]

The light was not as good today, but these guys still call my garden home. I really wish I had a longer macro lens...

• Sony E 30mm f/3.5 Macro
• 30.0 mm
• ƒ/9
• 1/250 sec
• ISO 640

 

[Uncle Kevriano]

Oooo awesome wee beastie!

 

[FowlersFreeTime]

Another specimen, this time in the back of my pickup truck. He's been living in there for a month, he rebuilds his web after every drive. I call him Fred.

• ILCE-6700
• TAMRON 90mm F2.8 F072 E
• 90.0 mm
• ƒ/8
• 1/125 sec
• ISO 640

• ILCE-6700
• TAMRON 90mm F2.8 F072 E
• 90.0 mm
• ƒ/8
• 1/160 sec
• ISO 640

• ILCE-6700
• TAMRON 90mm F2.8 F072 E
• 90.0 mm
• ƒ/8
• 1/160 sec
• ISO 640

Comparing these pictures (90mm lens) to pictures earlier in the thread (30mm lens) enlightened me: 1:1 macro is what it is, a longer lens let's you get the shot without being as close to the subject, but does NOT yield more magnification. Many of you will scoff and say "of course" but its something I guess I had to see for myself to understand.

 

[Unframed Dave]

That would be patronising and we don't do that. You do know what patronising means?

 

[FowlersFreeTime]

That would be patronising and we don't do that. You do know what patronising means?

haha
What do you call it if I am patronizing to my earlier self? It was a total "face-palm" moment.

In sad news, I just realized Fred is gone. My exterminator paid a visit (comes by quarterly) and said he "took care" of some spiders around the house he saw. oh well.