Dinner at Five 2/2
“Nature is neither kind nor cruel. Nature just is.” (Sir David Attenborough)
THE SUBJECT:
The title is apt as I photographed this little Diaea evanida (Flower Spider) as she was preparing her catch, an Apis mellifera (European Honey Bee), for dinner around 5pm on a mid-spring day.
The flower is a Actinotus helianthi (Flannel Flower), an iconic Aussie wildflower.
THE LOCATION:
The shot was made while on a solo wildflower safari at Grant’s Head, Bonny Hills, NSW, Australia.
THE MAKING of ‘Dinner at Five 2/2’:
I was all twisted up like a pretzel as I tried to get a good angle of shot under the flower, set the metering, get the focus and frame the shot while my subject was trying to get away from me and my Fuji. There was a price to pay. I got a tick under my watchband. I didn’t notice it until after I got home and it was a minor operation to dig it out intact.
The trick with the exposure was to meter off the very bright Flannel Flower and lock it then focus on the subject and use the flash to compensate and fill shadows.
Fuji S9600: RAW, Manual settings of f/3.6 @ 1/400sec, Manual focus, Pop-up flash at lowest power, Hand held.
Lightroom 1.1 & Photoshop CS3.
Visit the Insects & Spiders collection in my BubbleSite Gallery for more multi-legged critters.
UPDATE:
13-01-09
The judge for the Port Macquarie Panthers Camera Club December 2008 Open Competition awarded my spider ‘n’ bee a Merit Certificate in the Large Colour Print section.
UPDATE:
19-03-09
My bee munchin’ Arachnid has been featured in the Arachnids Group.
Enjoy!
HYMENOPTERA & SPIDERS
HYMENOPTERA
(Click the links!)
Apis mellifera & Thomisus spectabilis
Apis mellifera & Thomisus spectabilis
Apis mellifera & Lagunaria bracteata
Trigona carbonaria & Onopordum acanthium
Trigona carbonaria, Apis mellifera & Nymphaea violacea 
SPIDERS
(Click the links!)
Dinner at Five 2/2 belongs to the following groups:
Arachnids, 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














DottieDees
This is a spectacular macro!! WOnderful work!
Dennis Gay
G’day Dottie,
Very nice to see you out along the Grant’s Head track on my wildflower safari and that you are the very first Bubbler to comment on this Nature-in-the-raw scene.
Many thanks for your very encouraging “…spectacular…” wrap for my miniature world photography.
Thank you too for the honour of adding this work to your favourites.
GB
Dennis
Anthony Vella
Exceptional Macro my friend….has that special Dennis Gay touch. Well done.
Dennis Gay replied
G’day Toninu,
Great to see you out along the Grant’s Head track on my wildflower safari and that you have sp[otted this Nature-in-the-raw scene.
Thank you so much for your very encouraging “Exceptional…” wrap for my miniature world photography.
Thank you too for the honour of adding this work to your favourites.
GB
Dennis
Laura S
Wow..Wow Dennis!! I love this picture. I did not notice the spider until I read what you had to say. I think it is interesting how the spider blends in with the flower. Nature at it’s finest…and photography at it’s finest. :) Poor bee!
Dennis Gay replied
G’day Laura,
Very nice to see you out along the Grant’s Head track on my wildflower safari and that you have sp[otted this Nature-in-the-raw scene.
Thank you so much for your very encouraging “Wow..Wow…” wrap for my miniature world photography.
Thank you too for the honour of adding this work to your favourites.
GB
Dennis
AnitaInverarity
Wonderful image x
Dennis Gay replied
G’day Anita,
Really good to see you out along the Grant’s Head track on my wildflower safari and that you have sp[otted this Nature-in-the-raw scene.
Muchos gracias for your very encouraging “Wonderful…” wrap for my miniature world photography.
Thank you too for the honour of adding this work to your favourites.
GB
Dennis
Rosalie Dale IPA
Well spotted, beautifully shot, and I trust you recovered from the tick bite without too many after effects!
Dennis Gay replied
G’day Rosalie,
So happy to see you out along the Grant’s Head track on my wildflower safari and that you have sp[otted this Nature-in-the-raw scene.
My apprecation for your very encouraging “…beautifully shot…” wrap for my miniature world photography.
Oh I’m OK! I dug the whole tick out so not a problem. JUst a bit of bleeding for a while to the meds I take is all. 8-)
GB
Dennis
Lesley Hill
WOW….Stunning work! Lovely find and fantastic shot!
Dennis Gay replied
G’day Lesley,
Great to see you out along the Grant’s Head track on my wildflower safari and that you have sp[otted this Nature-in-the-raw scene.
Thank you muchly for your very encouraging “WOW…” wrap for my miniature world photography.
GB
Dennis
SharonD
Fantastic macro Dennis.
Dennis Gay replied
G’day Sharon,
Happy to see you out along the Grant’s Head track on my wildflower safari and that you have spotted this Nature-in-the-raw scene.
Many thanks for your very encouraging “Fantastic…” wrap for my miniature world photography.
GB
Dennis
Marvin Collins
Excellent macro Dennis!!
Dennis Gay replied
G’day Marvin,
Good to have you out along the Grant’s Head track on my wildflower safari and that you have spotted this Nature-in-the-raw scene.
Thank you very much for your very encouraging “Excellent…” wrap for my miniature world photography.
GB
Dennis
Rosie Appleton
Fabulous images Dennis… pays to be in the right place at the right time!!!
Dennis Gay replied
G’day Rosie,
So good of you to come out along the Grant’s Head track on my wildflower safari and that you have spotted this Nature-in-the-raw scene.
I really appreciate your very encouraging “Fabulous…” wrap for my miniature world photography.
GB
Dennis
Alf Caruana
another exceptional image to go with your fantastic collection. well done Dennis
Dennis Gay replied
G’day Alf,
Nice to see you out along the Grant’s Head track on my wildflower safari and that you have spotted this Nature-in-the-raw scene.
My utmost thanks your very encouraging “…exceptional…fantastic…” wrap for my miniature world photography.
GB
Dennis
Tparker
Wow what a shot love this.
Dennis Gay replied
G’day Teresa,
Really glad to see you out along the Grant’s Head track on my wildflower safari and that you have spotted this Nature-in-the-raw scene.
Thank you so much for your very encouraging “Wow…” wrap for my miniature world photography.
GB
Dennis
GailD
Fantastic shot Dennis. The detail is just great.
Now you really must look after yourself. Nearly falling down cliffs, ticks that need to be dug out, (glad you got it out intact). Be careful.
Dennis Gay replied
G’day Gail,
It is so good to see you out along the Grant’s Head track on my wildflower safari and that you have spotted this Nature-in-the-raw scene.
Many thanks for your very encouraging “Fantastic…” wrap for my miniature world photography.
Thank you too for your concern over my welfare. I really am very careful when out in the wild, especially if I am alone, but things do happen at times. 8-)
GB
Dennis
AnitaInverarity
My pleasure Dennis, hope to join in again soon x
bill oneil
geez,this is great
Dennis Gay replied
G’day Bill,
Happy to see you out along the Grant’s Head track on my wildflower safari and that you have spotted this Nature-in-the-raw scene.
Thank you kindly for your very encouraging “…this is great” wrap for my miniature world photography.
Thank you too for the honour of adding this work to your favourites.
GB
Dennis
Patricia Gibson
This is stunning and the Detail is amazing, great work Dennis!!
Dennis Gay replied
G’day Patricia,
Great to have you out along the Grant’s Head track on my wildflower safari and that you have spotted this Nature-in-the-raw scene.
My warmest thanks for your very encouraging “…stunning…” wrap for my miniature world photography.
GB
Dennis
debsphotos
YUM!!! Not!!,,,Fantastic capture Dennis!!! WOW!!! *-)
Dennis Gay replied
G’day Deb,
Nice to have you out along the Grant’s Head track on my wildflower safari and that you have spotted this Nature-in-the-raw scene.
Thank you very much indeed for your most encouraging “…WOW!!!…” wrap for my miniature world photography and for all those !s.
GB
Dennis
eXposure
very well seen and captured Dennis!
wonderful detail
Dennis Gay replied
G’day eXposure,
Really good to have you out along the Grant’s Head track on my wildflower safari and that you have spotted this Nature-in-the-raw scene.
Many thanks indeed for your most encouraging “…wonderful detail” wrap for my miniature world photography.
GB
Dennis
eXposure
ahh Dennis i could pull your chain with a multitude of indepth fantastic descriptions on your image if you like! I do however prefer the honest approach, and the detail is wonderful.
Wendyjc
Dennis Gay
G’day again eXposure,
Somehow I feel you have misenterpreted my reply to your original comment. It is simply a “thank you” and is no way a slight on anything you have said or not said.
I appreciate your honest critique and did not expect an overflow of praise or a plethora of “wows”.
I think we both “done good”! 8-)
GB
D!
eXposure
to lovely Dennis
:>)
Brandie1
This is a magical photo.
What an inspiration you are for a person like myself who is just learning the wonderful art of photography.
thank you
Dennis Gay replied
G’day Brandie,
Great to have you out along the Grant’s Head track on my wildflower safari and that you have spotted this Nature-in-the-raw scene.
Thank you kindly for your most encouraging “…magical photo…” wrap for my miniature world photography.
Thank you too for the honour of adding my portfolio to your watchlist. I hope it lives up to your expectations.
GB
Dennis
Dennis Gay
UPDATE: 13-01-09
The judge for the Port Macquarie Panthers Camera Club December 2008 Open Competition awarded my spider ‘n’ bee a Merit Certificate in the Large Colour Print section.
My thanks to all who have supported this work. Without such encouragement and support this may well be stored somewhere deep in my hard drive never to see the light of competition.
GB
Dennis
Tugela
Denis, just seen this one now, you are a master at this
Jim
Dennis Gay replied
G’day Jim,
So nice to have you out along the Grant’s Head track on my wildflower safari and that you have spotted this Nature-in-the-raw scene.
Many thanks indeed for your most encouraging “…you are a master…” wrap for my miniature world photography.
Master? No! But I do give it a good ol’ Aussie go! 8-)
GB
Dennis
Pete Costick
Great image and notes Dennis, and I’m pleased to feature this image in Arachnids Group this week :)
Dennis Gay replied
Hola Pete!
Glad you could make it to Grant’s Head for my Arachnid hunt and that you have caught my dining darlin’.
Your “Great image and notes…” comment and your congratz for the feature are much appreciated mate!
So glad you have enjoyed the experience.
GB
Dennis
laureenr
What an incredible photo. Your work is simply breathtaking.
Dennis Gay replied
Cheers Laureen!
Happy to see you along the Grant’s Head track hunting Spiders and that you have spotted this little beauty.
Thank you heaps for your ”…incredible photo…” comment for this piece of Arachnidal photography and for your most kind and flattering remark regading my work in general.
So glad you are enjoying the journey.
Thank you too for adding this li’l darlin’ to your favourites.
GB
Dennis
Anna D'Accione
Stunning Macro shot, congratulations on your feature, it is well deserved
Dennis Gay replied
Daginn Anna!
Your “Stunning…” wrap for this spidery close-up and your cheery congratulations for the feature and most warmly appreciated kiddo.
Sp glad you dropped by.
GB
Dennis
Dennis Gay
UPDATE: 19-03-09
My bee munchin’ Arachnid has been featured in the Arachnids Group.
All my thanks to the Hosts and to all who have supported my li’l green Spider.
GB
Dennis
Renee Dawson
An absolutely superb image Dennis! I also enjoyed your write up and got a chuckle out of the pretzel positioning…I can SO relate to that! Thank heavens you found and REMOVED the tick! What pains we don’t go through for the love of our photography :) Congratulations on your well deserved feature.
Dennis Gay replied
Bon Jour Renee!
Lovely to have you join me on my Grant’s Head safari and that you spotted this li’l spider scene along the way.
Many thanks indeed for your most interesting, supportive and encouraging ”...absolutely superb…” wrap for my 5 o’clock photography.
So glad you have enjoyed the “Full Monty” that comes with this photograph and for your empathy regarding my tick attack and my discomforts in bringing this image (and 1/2), to you.
GB
Dennis
Andrew Trevor-...
Fantastic shot, Dennis. You have the flannel flower well exposed and still managed to get intricate detail of both the spider and the bee. The tick was a small price to pay, in my opinion.
Dennis Gay replied
“The tick was a small price to pay, in my opinion.”
It was a small tick mate! 8-)
Well Helloo Andrew!
So glad you have caught sight of my dining spider along the Grant’s Head track and that you have left your most encouraging “Fantastic shot…” comment for the subject and the photography. It is all much appreciated.
I knew I had little time and a slim chance to get even one shot of this little scene so my head was almost spinning trying to remember all I knew to ensure I nailed it. 63yo and still got it! ;-)
GB
Dennis
Karen Kaleta
This is wonderful. So carefully camoflauged. I have yet to see a white crab spider but I have a lot of yellows ones around here.
Dennis Gay replied
Wotcha Karen!
Welcome to tick country. So good to see you tag along on my spider hunt and that you have spotted this li’l bee eating sweetie.
Thank you heaps for your encouraging and interesting ”...wonderful…” wrap for my arachnidal photographic effort.
I would really like to see a yellow one and a pink one.
GB
Dennis
Dennis Gay replied
G’day again Karen!
Many thanks for the honour of adding my dining spider to your favourites.
GB
D!
Marilyn Baldey
Great photo.
Dennis Gay replied
Shalom Marilyn!
Brave girl for ignoring the ticks to get a closer look at this miniature dramatic scene.
Your interest in insects and spiders and your encouraging “Great…” wrap are most welcome.
Thank you too for the honour of adding this photograph to your favourites collection.
GB
Dennis
Normf
You know my searches for little Diaea’s was fiutless this year (although I’m happy to have found Bolas) but this spring I’ll be seaching Actinotus helianthi (Flannel Flower) calfully (thanks for the tip. By the way Dennis this is a great image (and sequence!),
Dennis Gay replied
Howzit NORM!
Welcome to Grant’s Head on my little safari.
My thanks for your most encouraging ”...great image…” wrap for my spidery photography.
Mate, some days you won’t find even one spider and others you are spoilt for choice. Keep your eyes peeled for other li’l critters on the Flannels too, like beetles, bugs ‘n’ flies.
Don’t forget to check yourself for ticks after you get home!
GB and good luck.
Dennis
Larry Llewellyn
Love your work, so enlighteneing..
This macro, is another world. Forces to look ever so closely and really focus. My hand isn’t as steady as it used to be, so I best keep a tripod with me now..
Dennis Gay replied 28 days ago
Bon Jour LARRY!
Mate, your comment is very uplifting, inspiring and humbling. Thanks you sincerely for that.
Yup! The wonderful world of close-up certainly does introduce you to a different space and place and makes you become much more observant.
Quite often when out with a couple of camera club mates I will prop, stop and make a shot just like this. My mates look at each other and say, “How does he find them?” One reason is that I concentrate extremely hard because I feel I am working, not on a social outing.
You don’t have to lug a big tripod around for a lot of these shots as they are fairly close to the ground and at times on the ground. A small tripod, a bean bag, a rock, a stick, your camera bag, anything you can get your hands on can be used for an efficient support.
GB
Dennis
Rita H. Ireland 29 days ago
awesome!