He was so tiny at barely 5mm (0.2in), hiding on the underside of this small rock that is half submerged in water, that I had my doubts if any of my shots would turn out well. I couldn't get closer because another rock was in the way. But I think this shot is a pretty clear one, so I'm happy! 8)
He may be a pond wolf spider. Pond wolf spiders do not spin webs to catch prey. They are fast-running hunters that live near the edge of ponds and reservoirs. If you view the larger version, you can see a pair of his eyes on the top and to the back of his head.
In other news, I have one of my browser tabs open on the official Olympic channel on Youtube, I never close it! I love watching the gymnastics and diving events. As one who is liable to trip over thin air without any inkling it was going to happen at all, I am in awe of these athletes and the strength and precision by which they control the movement of their beautiful and beautifully trained bodies.
I see you are working on your not green backgrounds...this is nice, but they are not as easy to see are they? I didn't know spiders went so close to water.
Oh dear, reminds me I saw an unusual spider spinning a web in our backyard yesterday & thought of you. No time to retrieve my camera, etc. & figured I'd go back today if he's still there. Another fabulous shot, viewed large....so awesome! Nice color contrasts, too.
Excellent macro and fascinating info about this spider, Livia! Love the rusty tones in the rock!
Enjoy viewing the events, Livia! I haven't watched many of the events in years since they stopped televising the ones I really loved which all had to do with marksmanship. Sad! I loved the archery and air rifle competitions.
Great capture - l tried my hand at tiny spiders yesterday, but had no luck - l also am in awe of the abilities of these athletes , love watching them!!
A wonderful and spectacular photo of this spider and as always a good interesting brief explanation . Thank for all you trouble to give us every day a stunting pic and you lovely comments on ours.
Love those sports too.
Beautiful pov and lovely color and textures on him AND the rock! It's great enlarged ...love the eyes! Where do you find these little guys?!! I love the women's gymnastics ....and don't want to miss them. So beautiful and graceful. Wouldn't it be a lifetime dream to be able to photo one of them in action?!!!!
Wonderful shot but I have to say the Aussies are not performing to form at the Olympics. Hard to believe that we are so critical on people when less than a second can seperate best in the world to someone that finishes 8th.
Great shot, great details love his thorny legs =) - i like to watch the gymnastics too, i watched a bit of water polo yesterday and got tired just watching them! =)
Very sharp macro. The details are great. I fine it interesting what you say about the way they catch their prey. Do they eat what they catch on the spot?
@vernabeth Probably they do. But they might be like other active hunters such as jumping spiders, even though they don't weave webs to catch food, they might have a little place somewhere under a rock where they make a webby sort of home, a place to retreat to in case of bad weather. 8)
I'm assuming your knees didn't love you when you took this shot! Fabulously spotted and taken! He does look a little more scary than the jumping spiders though!
Cool spider- glad he's just a picture though! I love the gymnastics too- especially the kind that where they dance with the sticks and other props! I have to find a schedule!
Great capture. Like the fact that got yourself to the very edge to attempt the capture. It was well worth the effort. Beautiful tones and textures. If it was me trying for that, I would have fallen into the water, hit a rock, get a leg snagged on a submerged branch, and another leg stuck deep in mud. Meanwhile, the camera would defy gravity, float in mid-air for an extended period, then land gently on a grassy hillock. And all that time the spider would just shake his head, and leave.
that thing looks scary when viewed large. meanwhile, i found a teeny-tiny spider - as large as a regular pin head - in my bathroom and before i could think of "photo" i've swatted the darn thing. eeek! that's a rock he's on? i thought it was some lemon pound cake or something. :-)
Great detail on this spider. I did not know that u tube had an official Olympic channel. Will have to check it out . A good way to avoid the biased Australian commentators.
@myautofocuslife Cool capture... he does look wolf spiderish. What is this Youtube channel you speak of? I'm with Maggie... don't watch much now cos they just televise swimming and swimming and swimming and for a change, swimming :/ Then it's athletics, but usually just running ... *sighs*. I like the gymnastics too and Oskar wanted to watch some cos he does it.
Enjoy viewing the events, Livia! I haven't watched many of the events in years since they stopped televising the ones I really loved which all had to do with marksmanship. Sad! I loved the archery and air rifle competitions.
I am an Olympic lover and enjoy most all of the events!!!
Love those sports too.