Orchard spider on its web

[brachypelma44]

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(Nikon D7200 + 60mm f2.8D) 1/60, f11, ISO 400

 

[Butlerkid]

Well captured! The spider is nice and sharp. Pretty little spider! The web dominates this image. Do you have some shots highlighting the spider?

 

[brachypelma44]

I've taken a good number of photos of them over the years, but this is definitely the best result I've gotten. They are tiny little things (3.5 to 7.5 mm in length.)

Fun fact: Two orchard spiders were transported on a U.S. space station, Skylab 3, in 1973 for web-building observations in zero gravity. The web building started off quite uncoordinated, but once the spiders adapted, they were able to construct excellent webs.

 

[aolander]

Beautiful image. The shot is great just the way it is. Web's leading lines to spider with subject isolation make the image.

 

[Silver Eagle]

Great image. That is really a gorgeous spider. I would also like to see some close-ups if you have them.

 

[brachypelma44]

I would also like to see some close-ups if you have them.

Sorry to disappoint, but this is the close-up. They are tiny little buggers, from 3.5mm to 7.5mm in length, and this is the best result I've been able to get.

 

[Butlerkid]

Sorry to disappoint, but this is the close-up. They are tiny little buggers, from 3.5mm to 7.5mm in length, and this is the best result I've been able to get.

OK......this one is so nice, guess I was being greedy wanting to see more!!!!

 

[Gongster]

Love it!

 

[NorthernFocus]

I'm not a bug guy but it looks pretty darn good to me. Interesting looking spider. Where does that species live?

 

[brachypelma44]

Where does that species live?

"Leucauge venusta, known as the orchard spider, is a long-jawed orbweaver spider that occurs from southern Canada to Colombia, along the East coast, reaching into the central US, also in South Asia."

 

[R.Philip]

Really cool shot... How did you get the shot from that perspective without disturbing the web? Was the web sagging toward the bottom of the image?

 

[brachypelma44]

Really cool shot... How did you get the shot from that perspective without disturbing the web? Was the web sagging toward the bottom of the image?

The web was over a secluded trail that I was hiking early one morning at a local park, about 6 feet off the ground. I was shooting from below it at an angle, using a monopod to help steady the camera. Usually when I see these spiders and webs, they are in low bushes/dense plants about 2-4 feet off the ground, so I was fortunate that this one was a bit easier to access than most.

 

[ssheipel]

Beautiful wee beastie! Love the composition.

 

[MorganP]

Outstanding. I would say it's time to make a print.

 

[brachypelma44]

Outstanding. I would say it's time to make a print.

I made a large metal (frameless) print of it in 2019. Looks great.

 

[MorganP]

Metal is the only way to go.

 

[Bill M]

Love the perspective, color and lighting. Handsome spider.

 

[brachypelma44]

Thank you for all the comments. They are appreciated!

 

[MikeA]

Wonderful composition and image

 

[gKhan]

View attachment 16215

(Nikon D7200 + 60mm f2.8D) 1/60, f11, ISO 400

Great!!

 

[Mother of cats]

I made a large metal (frameless) print of it in 2019. Looks great.

I’ll bet this is even more stunning on metal!

 

[DallasP]

Wonderful. Such jewel colors on that critter. Given the image size constraints, the web is a marvelous induction of the eye to exactly where you want it.

 

[Robin]

Luv spiders, nice composition.

 

[gaknott]

Wow! Excellent photo!!

 

[JSD]

Truly a beautiful photo, just stunning!