Spider awaits

[JohnRostron]

I have been impressed by the spider pictures posted recently, and I thought I would submit the only spider picture I have taken in recent years for consideration. This was taken on St Mary's, Isles of Scilly. It was in a hedge, conveniently at eye level. This species, Pisauria mirabilis, weaves a more-or-less horizontal web and then sits on top of it awaiting its prey to walk across. I have included some of this web, but unfortunately it is not in focus. If you look at the head close up, it seems to be gazing heavenward, praying for dinner to arrive.



Comment welcome.

John

[Shadowman]

Nice effort and impressive specimen, needs a bit more separation from the background.

[James G]

John, nursery web spiders can be a tricky capture. They have very good eyesight (particularly for movement above them ), and retreat to cover very quickly.
Very nice detail in the striated markings. That beige / brown colouring can make it difficult to get a good capture.

[Round Tuit]

John,

Nice shot. I have never seen that kind of spider before. I was going to suggest that you try a shot from above the next time you see one but if James is right that could be difficult!

Andre

[Round Tuit]

John,

Nice shot. I have never seen that kind of spider before. I was going to suggest that you try a shot from above the next time you see one but if James is right that could be difficult!

Andre

[Wavelength]

Light is a bit harsh; how about adjusting the contrast, please ?

[James G]

It's all down to your 'stalking' skills. Below are two captures I managed earlier this year. It took an hour or so and I had to be careful not to disturb the surrounding foliage or move too quickly when moving in to get focus.

#1


#2


Not the best shots I've ever taken !

[JohnRostron]

Thanks to all who have commented. I will try a revised version when I get a moment.

James. These are great pictures. The one I found was at eye level with no opportunity to get above this. It was actually remarkably docile. I took several shots, getting closer each time.

John

[Ziggy]

John if you look spiders are everywhere.

Nice catch.

[IzzieK]

John if you look spiders are everywhere.

Nice catch.

Yes, like I want to go near them...ha! The other night I asked Bill to take the dog out in the middle of the night and he-who-want-to-switch on the deck's light saw a huge spider made a web across the step's entrance. He woke me up to say not to go go out by the deck until he can identify the spider in the morning light... make sure it is not poisonous. Oh well...

Moving on...I quite got fond of your spider, John...having seen it twice yesterday while offline. I like that you even got the catchlight in its eye there...I wonder why it weave its web too close to the leaf...?

[JohnRostron]

Nice effort and impressive specimen, needs a bit more separation from the background.

Light is a bit harsh; how about adjusting the contrast, please ?

I thought I could resolve these two by masking out the spider, and sharpening it a bit, and then desaturating the background slightly.



Has it worked?

John