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Eug · 08:49 PM

The spiders are extremely plentiful this year, much to the dismay of my GF.

This is a great big one that took up residence outside our living room window. It's only a side shot because I had to hang off my deck to get close to it, about 10 feet off the ground.

Here's a closer pic of the guy/gal.

I posted this pic before, but thought it was worth posting again. It's a spider in the front garden after the rain.

brassplayersrock² · Sep 5, 2008, 09:33 PM

holy crap. Do you have an idea on what type they are Eug?

Railroader · Sep 5, 2008, 10:26 PM

Those shots should be in the Photo Critique thread.

One summer I worked at this camp, and we painted all of the building and destroyed every spiderweb we could find. Worst year EVAR for bugs.

zro · Sep 6, 2008, 12:51 AM

Those first two look like studio shots. Looks like a ring flash reflecting in the raindrops, is that what you used for these latest two? Nice work.

What's the leg span on that sucker?

Eug · Sep 6, 2008, 01:52 AM

No idea of what species they are, but I was surprised they get that big in gardens around here (Toronto). Not that huge actually, but still big enough.

The one against the black background has a legspan of 1.5" or so. The raindrop guy is only about 3/4" - 1" though.

All the pix are taken handheld with a Canon 30D and 100 mm macro lens, along with a ring flash. The ones against the black background had me hanging off to the edge of the deck with my arm outstretched hoping the autofocus worked.

smacintush · Sep 6, 2008, 02:04 AM

Nice pics, I like spiders.

One time when I was still remodeling my house I showed up early in the morning and with the early morning dew there were hundreds or even thousands of little webs in the grass with one little spider on each. It was amazing…too bad I didn't own a camera then. Dammit.

Eug · Sep 6, 2008, 02:11 AM

Here is the EXIF of the three pix in case anyone cares.

Aperture Value: 5.310699
Date Time Original: 2008:09:05 18:09:51
Exposure Mode: Manual exposure
Exposure Program: Manual
Exposure Time: 1 / 160
Flash: Flash fired, compulsory flash mode
FNumber: 6.3
Focal Length: 100
ISO Speed Ratings: 200
Metering Mode: Pattern
White Balance: Auto white balance

Aperture Value: 4.970856
Date Time Original: 2008:09:05 18:05:54
Exposure Mode: Manual exposure
Exposure Program: Manual
Exposure Time: 1 / 160
Flash: Flash fired, compulsory flash mode
FNumber: 5.6
Focal Length: 100
ISO Speed Ratings: 800
Metering Mode: Pattern
White Balance: Auto white balance

Aperture Value: 6.339844
Date Time Original: 2008:08:29 17:12:43
Exposure Mode: Manual exposure
Exposure Program: Manual
Exposure Time: 1 / 125
Flash: Flash fired, compulsory flash mode
FNumber: 9
Focal Length: 100
ISO Speed Ratings: 200
Metering Mode: Pattern
White Balance: Auto white balance

I'll be sure to post in the critique thread next time, but I had forgotten there was one.

Not sure why that last pic is saying f/9 with an aperture value of 6.3.

analogika · Sep 6, 2008, 04:13 AM

Originally Posted by Railroader

Those shots should be in the Photo Critique thread.

One summer I worked at this camp, and we painted all of the building and destroyed every spiderweb we could find. Worst year EVAR for bugs.

Did you know that spiders eat bugs?

Mastrap · Sep 6, 2008, 06:25 AM

I think RR is referring to spiders as bugs.

Destroying spider webs is of course the worst thing you can possibly do if you're being harassed by real bugs, like flies and mosquitoes. This year we have gazillions of spiders in our back yard. They're all welcome unless they decide to move into the garage, then it's eviction time.

Love Calm Quiet · Sep 6, 2008, 07:32 AM

Gorgeous image.
But the critter is so *tiny*!
Out here we can spot tarantulas on the road ahead from 50 yards...
... and get a good view of the traffic ahead *between their legs*

Mithras · Sep 6, 2008, 07:49 AM

Great photo. But next time, can you get a little closer?

LegendaryPinkOx · Sep 6, 2008, 09:57 AM

The last one is a wolf spider. We have them all over where I live. They're great at eating pesky bugs, and can get pretty big too. First one I think is a typical garden spider, but can't be sure at the moment. Gorgeous pictures though!

Laminar · Sep 6, 2008, 11:00 AM

Here's another wolf spider I caught at a wedding in a state park. The finger is for size comparison:

LegendaryPinkOx · Sep 6, 2008, 11:53 AM

I found this deadly critter (brown recluse), while in the bathroom at my old apartment:

Here he is eating a cockroach. I forgot to put the flash off, but liked the effect

:

imitchellg5 · Sep 6, 2008, 03:06 PM

Ewww. I just about had a heart attack seeing those pics. I. Hate. Spiders.

dav · Sep 6, 2008, 03:23 PM

found a black widow on our deck last year...

Chuckit · Sep 6, 2008, 03:50 PM

Originally Posted by Mastrap

I think RR is referring to spiders as bugs.

Destroying spider webs is of course the worst thing you can possibly do if you're being harassed by real bugs, like flies and mosquitoes. This year we have gazillions of spiders in our back yard. They're all welcome unless they decide to move into the garage, then it's eviction time.

Yeah, there's a huge problem with ants around here (they invade every time any water falls on the ground outside), so I pretty much encourage spiders to make themselves at home. As long as they aren't coming in and scaring people, I am a huge fan of spiders.

zro · Sep 6, 2008, 04:54 PM

Originally Posted by analogika

Did you know that spiders eat bugs?

Originally Posted by Mastrap

I think RR is referring to spiders as bugs.

Destroying spider webs is of course the worst thing you can possibly do if you're being harassed by real bugs, like flies and mosquitoes. This year we have gazillions of spiders in our back yard. They're all welcome unless they decide to move into the garage, then it's eviction time.

I think he means that as a result of killing the spiders the bug problem was worsened. Which would fit with the foresight of youth.

Railroader · Sep 6, 2008, 07:26 PM

Originally Posted by zro

I think he means that as a result of killing the spiders the bug problem was worsened. Which would fit with the foresight of youth.

BINGO!!!

added text so I can have all CAPS and put the added emphasis needed.

osiris · Sep 6, 2008, 10:04 PM

Eug, those are excellent pictures!

The one with the water drops is captivating. Not icky!

Eug · Sep 6, 2008, 10:20 PM

I'm just glad there are no poisonous spiders around here (that I know of). One reason spiders don't really scare me is because the risk of serious damage from one here is minimal.

I did meet a relatively tame Tarantula though in a café in Costa Rica. This is me holding it. It would just happily keep walking on my hands... until a loud tourist came by. Then it would cower and hide in the palm of my hand. As soon as the loudmouth walked away, it went back to happily walking.

xi_hyperon · Sep 6, 2008, 10:40 PM

^ Hehe, awesome! I had a tarantula during college, and it was always content walking around on my hands or arms. It was about the same size as the one in your photos. Congrats on not freaking out - I think they're really fascinating little creatures.

brassplayersrock² · Sep 7, 2008, 12:15 AM

Now I understand your location Eug

*ducks*

Eug · Sep 7, 2008, 12:55 AM

Not my pic

Laminar · Sep 7, 2008, 01:13 AM

Well played.

Kerrigan · Sep 7, 2008, 03:10 AM

I've always wondered why they don't use bugs to advertise children's cereal.

RickyWong · Sep 7, 2008, 03:51 PM

I have a spider that has lived in my Subaru's door mirror the ENTIRE summer. He's survived over 20 automatic carwashes, and makes a new web each night. He's basically my car's pet. The other night I was out at a bar, and he must have thought I was in for the night, so he made his web while my car was parked. On the way home, I told him to hold on, and when I started driving I saw him clinging to the side of the door for dear life. As soon as I hit a stoplight, he scurried up his web and climbed inside the mirror housing. Smart little fella.