Araneus bradleyi (Enamelled Spider)
If you have ever wondered just what a tiny Araneus bradleyi (Enamelled Spider) looks like when backlit by the afternoon sun – worry no more because here she is!
No need to run screaming for the broom ladies as this little spider woman’s body is only as big as the head of a match.
I was on another wildflower safari out along a track at Diamond Head, Crowdy Bay National Park), Laurieton, NSW, Australia on a spring afternoon. After photographing a wildflower I was about to arise from my kneeling position, not looking forward to the painful crackle and crunch I get these days when a flash of white caught my eye and I spotted this very tiny, very well backlit spider.
Because it was sooooo small and I wanted the shot soooo badly I experimented with my screw-on +10 Dioptre Macro Lens with Milady Fuji set to Super Macro. As long as I made sure both planes of the lens were parallel to both planes of the spider and its web, the very shallow depth of field was no problem.
Fortunately the backlight was not shining directly into the lens so I was able to juggle a good exposure to show good detail on “the dark side” as well as the translucence of the spider’s body.
Fuji S9600: RAW, f/3.7 @ 1/420sec, Manual focus, Hand held.
Lightroom 1.1 & Photoshop CS3.
Visit the Insects & Spiders collection in my BubbleSite Gallery for more creepy crawlies.
Enjoy!
SPIDERS
(Click the links!)
Araneus bradleyi – Enamelled Spider
Nephila plumipes – Suspended Animation
Nephila plumipes – Time Tunnel
Nephila plumipes – Lunch is Served
Nephila plumipes – No-one Home
Argiope Kaiserling – Dragon Slayer
Deinopis subrufa – Net Casting Spider
Diaea evanida – Flannel Flower Defender
Diaea evanida – Dinner at Five #1
Diaea evanida – Dinner at Five #2
Araneus bradleyi (Enamelled Spider) belongs to the following groups:
Former DPF Members and New South Wales Photography Available for sale asGreeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints, Framed Prints and Posters
David DeWitt
Great shot! Good detail and lighting.
Dennis Gay
G’day David,
Good to see you out along the track on my Diamond Head safari and that you are the very first Bubbler to comment on my li’l lady spider.
Many thanks for your most encouraging and supportive “Great shot!...” wrap for my arachnidal efforts.
GB
Dennis
debsphotos
And what a lovely little web she builds!! Great capture Dennis!! *-)
Dennis Gay replied
G’day Deb,
Good to see you out along the track on my Diamond Head safari and that you are the very first Bubbler to comment on my li’l lady spider.
Many thanks for your most encouraging and supportive “…lovely…” wrap for my arachnidal efforts.
GB
Dennis
Rosalie Dale IPA
You certainly caught this one well Dennis!!!
Dennis Gay replied
G’day Rosalie,
Good to see you out along the track on my Diamond Head safari and that you have spotted my li’l lady spider.
Many thanks for your most encouraging and supportive “…caught…well…” wrap for my arachnidal efforts.
GB
Dennis
Claire Farley
Well spotted and taken Dennis!
Dennis Gay replied
G’day Claire,
Good to see you out along the track on my Diamond Head safari and that you have spotted my li’l lady spider.
Many thanks for your most encouraging and supportive “Well spotted…” wrap for my arachnidal efforts.
GB
Dennis
pryere
Blimey, what an incredible shot.
The spider, that beautiful web, the light.
Choose any prize from the top row.
Dennis Gay replied
G’day Pryere,
Good to see you out along the track on my Diamond Head safari and that you have spotted my li’l lady spider.
Many thanks for your most encouraging and supportive “…Choose any prize…” wrap for my arachnidal efforts.
Thank you too for the honour of ading this little arachnid to your favourites.
I’ll take the BIG Teddy Bear!!! 8-)
GB
Dennis
jab03
great colours wonderful well done :)
Dennis Gay replied
G’day Jab,
Good to see you out along the track on my Diamond Head safari and that you have spotted my li’l lady spider.
Many thanks for your most encouraging and supportive “…well done…” wrap for my arachnidal efforts.
Thank you too for the honour of ading my portfolio to your watchlist. I hope it lives up to your expectations.
GB
Dennis
pene
Fantastic shot !!
spiders are so beautiful !! and my favorite “bug”. LOL
Dennis Gay replied
G’day Pene,
So nice to see you out along the track on my Diamond Head safari and that you have spotted my li’l lady spider.
Thank you kindly for your most encouraging and supportive “Fantastic shot !!” wrap for my arachnidal efforts.
I think spiders are fascinating creatures and though I do not go out looking for them, any time we cross paths I always look to see if I can make a good shot. This tiny subject was a chance find.
GB
Dennis
Dharna
Is she related to the St. Patricks cross (I think that’s it’s name). The position of the legs are the same. Lovely capture.
Dennis Gay replied
G’day Dharna,
How good nice to see you out along the track on my Diamond Head safari and that you have spotted my li’l lady spider.
Many thanks indeed for your most encouraging and supportive “…Lovely…” wrap for my arachnidal efforts.
I don’t know if the two spiders are related. Many spiders have the X habit when sitting in the centre of their web, even our friend the net casting spider does that when not huunting with its net.
GB
Dennis