Daddy Long Legs Spider... More macro practice!

[James G]

I noticed a Daddy Long Legs Spider, (Pholcus phalagioides), on the ceiling of our living room yesterday evening.

I've always thought they were Harvestmen which are 8 legged bugs related to spiders. I came as a bit of a surprise that closer examination showed they were spiders...prompting a little research to clarify things.

These were shot standing on a 3 step ladder with my tripod being used as a monopod to steady the camera. I set my Canon ringflash (MR-14EX) to provide an asymmetric flash which shows in the shadows created.

I took a series of images and then stacked the 'best' groups using photoshop. There are a few artefacts on a couple at the extremities. I was inclined to simply crop, but decided not to in the end.

#1


#2


#3


#4


#5


I produced an alternative set, rotated 180 deg for 4 of the images. Somehow, they seem 'better because I guess we/I am more comfortable seeing things 'the right way up'.

The whole sequence of images is also on my Skydrive storage via the following link: - http://1drv.ms/1JMsIN8

C&C welcome

[Geoff F]

Good clear images.

Harvestmen have the head and body fused together unlike the jointed bodies of spiders but it does take a bit of experience to 'get your eye in' to the differences.

Easy to see when you know what to look for. Harvestmen are certainly one of my favourite groups and it is usually possible to identify them from good photos.

[Downrigger]

Wonderful, sharp detail! I love the little hairs on the legs - so, looked it up. They are the auditory organs of the spider, called trichobothria, as near as I can tell. Nice trichobothria rendering, James!

[IzzieK]

James...Although, #1 is a normal shot, I like #2 shot better because I like the doing-aerobic pose very much... sorry but that was what first came to mind when I saw it...I really have to get into macro bug-o-graphy so I can have better things to say instead...

[JohnRostron]

James, as I commented on your millipede, it's nice to see creepy-crawlies other than insects. I agre that Harvestmen and these spiders are a devil to photograph!

John

[Shadowman]

Nice series.

[bnnrcn]

I like the sharp and detailed images although I don't like the critter