I am so stoked to get this shot because I have wanted—ever since I'd encountered a lynx spider for the first time in May—a head-on perspective! It makes me unseasonably happy I've managed this! 8D
Reacting to my presence, this spider went into a defensive posture as you can see, with his front legs raised in a striking pose. I kept shooting until he disappeared from my screen. I checked to see if he had jumped onto my lens but, thank goodness, he hadn't.
He was about 6mm (0.2in). View the large version for details if you like. 8)
He is a young male lynx spider. We know this because he has palps, which are the little "boxing gloves" in front of his jaws. These are used during mating to transfer sperm to the female spider. Lynx spiders do not weave webs. They are active hunters.
I know you say it is tiny and your macro does the work of enlarging but honestly look at him yuk! Your shots are amazing Livia, the detail is incredible, even that tiny I could not shoot him, I am so glad I have you to show me the detail on these creatures:0)
They do seem like boxing gloves! That is what I called them...I can understand your elation at a spider pic. I got one of a jumping spider (with metallic green on his back) yesterday...finally! I never had seen one and then a month or two ago, I saw a TINY one on a orange blossom and got a pic but with my p and s. Yesterday, I saw a pretty magnolia blossom at eye level and thought I should check it/shoot it. Then thought "no, I already have some good pics for today...save it" but you cannot "save" nature. So I went back out. Glad I did....the jumpy spider was on the driveway and loved the green of my camera bag and jumped on board. I started freaking out and shooting away. I am posting it later...I can relate to your comment about checking to see if he'd jumped on your lens...I was checking my display or settings and looked up and the spider on my bag was GONE! I did not know where he went. Convinced myself he was not in the bag by patting down the pockets, but then after that, he came OUT! Screech!
and another thing...LOL...if any one has ever tried to shoot a pic of a 0.6mm spider, they know how great this is! It is so hard to get the leg hairs in the pic and everything clear and the light right and a good pose...you got it all!
This is awesome! Right down to those leg hairs, amazing detail! Your shots are always so amazing, I have no idea how you manage to locate all these little beauties.
After seeing the ( an old b+w ) movie : It came from the dessert , I`m afraid of spiders ( kidding)
Great capture and explanation of an interesting insect
Although I'm a bit afraid of spiders because I've had allergic reactions to spider bites before, I can't stop staring at this photo! The details are amazing!!! Great shot!
Great shot. I think you are doing the impossible: de-sensitizing me to my greatest phobia, spiders. I did actually enlarge instead of immediately moving the image out of view on my screen.
What a capture .... you have found a niche that no one else can match. I don't know how you find these guys?!! He's fabulous ... has all the things that you commented on. Also love his spunk for standing up to you .... ready to attack. lol You always do such beautiful work and the clarity on this is awesome as always. Stunning.
@noragentian *LOL* I wish I had a garden! But I live in a flat. I go to parks and the mangrove forest to look for bugs to shoot. On any one trip, I spend only two hours in these places, in the early morning, because it gets too hot once the sun is up and blazing in the sky. It's always a matter of luck whether I find interesting bugs to shoot or not.
@mackpwo I'm actually doing it to myself too, if that makes any sense! *LOL* Before 365, I'd see a spider and run. But now, through my macro lens, I've discovered that I like tiny lynx spiders and tiny jumping spiders. I think jumping spiders, with their big round eyes and curious nature, are cute! There are plenty of spiders I still find too freaky to get near to, so I avoid them and I don't shoot them: the web-spinning, long-legged ones with bloated abdomens. They still scare me. 8(
@dishaparekh176 The information is in my profile. For macro shots, I use my Sony NEX-C3, which is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, with the Sony 30mm f/3.5 macro lens. If you are looking to buy a macro lens, I would suggest getting one with a longer focal length such as 100mm. This is because the longer focal length means you can put more distance between yourself and your macro subject. Good for shooting bugs, because bugs spook easily. (And if it was agitated or venomous, it's good if you can shoot from a longer distance.) With my 30mm macro lens, I have to get kissing distance close, and many times I end up scaring the insect or spider away. Sorry for rambling on but more information is good, I think, I'd love to encourage everyone to try macro photography. It's a lot of fun. 8)
That is such an amazing macro! Such great focus! I love that you gave information. Definitely a cool spider! He has a look like maybe you were his next meal:)
A great, big, head-on, bold and bright and loud "THANK YOU!" to everyone for taking the time to stop by!
I am really happy with this shot. It's quite hard to get a head-on perspective with these little spiders, and the defensive posture is wonderfully dramatic. Thank you so much for your comments. I appreciate every one, and I am grateful for your support! 8)
Awesome capture. Great pov, texture and tones. He looks like he doesn't mess around. Reminds me of the old Jim Croce song "And he's bad, bad, Leroy Brown. Baddest man in the whole damn town. Badder then ol' King Kong...meaner then a junk yard dog..."
Great capture and explanation of an interesting insect
I am really happy with this shot. It's quite hard to get a head-on perspective with these little spiders, and the defensive posture is wonderfully dramatic. Thank you so much for your comments. I appreciate every one, and I am grateful for your support! 8)