Spiny-Backed Orb Weaver

[FowlersFreeTime]

We grew up colloquially calling these "crab" or "Crab-backed" spiders. I saw this one in the mango tree today. I don't normally do "nightmare fuel" photography, but I was already there with my macro lens, so why not?

No crop:

• Sony E 30mm f/3.5 Macro
• 30.0 mm
• ƒ/11
• 1/160 sec
• ISO 200

Slightly closer...

• Sony E 30mm f/3.5 Macro
• 30.0 mm
• ƒ/11
• 1/160 sec
• ISO 200

Oh damn, I think she's turned towards me...

• Sony E 30mm f/3.5 Macro
• 30.0 mm
• ƒ/11
• 1/160 sec
• ISO 500

OK, at this point, I wasn't trying to get any closer with a 30mm macro lens, because I would have bumped her web. So instead lets crop in:

• Sony E 30mm f/3.5 Macro
• 30.0 mm
• ƒ/11
• 1/160 sec
• ISO 500

and closer still... hey is that a sun-star?

• Sony E 30mm f/3.5 Macro
• 30.0 mm
• ƒ/11
• 1/160 sec
• ISO 500

 

[alexpler]

Does that even exist?

Awesomely creepy shots. I like the 3rd.

 

[FowlersFreeTime]

I went back with the 18-135 kit lens and a macro extension tube. The spider was still there, but the sun had shifted and a breeze had picked up. the experience was neither fun nor productive. Might try again tomorrow, or maybe I won't and I'll just chalk this one up to "I got lucky"

 

[Deleted Member 5045]

That's a good start on the insect macro mate. The shooting and editing is yet another art in itself.

 

[Roland]

If the are anything like the hawai’i crab-spiders, than are nasty little critters. Nice close ups.