Dinner at Five 2/2

Dennis Gay

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

Apis mellifera & Protea

Apis mellifera & Lagunaria bracteata

Trigona carbonaria & Onopordum acanthium

Trigona carbonaria, Apis mellifera & Nymphaea violacea

Polistes humilis

SPIDERS
(Click the links!)

Argiope keyserlingi

Deinopis subrufa

Araneus bradleyi

Nephila plumipes

Nephila plumipes

Nephila plumipes

Diaea evanida – Last Stand

Diaea evanida

Diaea evanida

Tetragnatha sp

Dinner at Five 2/2 belongs to the following groups:

Arachnids, Former DPF Members and New South Wales Photography Available for sale as

Greeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints, Framed Prints and Posters

Dinner at Five 2/2 by Dennis Gay
Dinner at Five 2/2 by Dennis Gay
  • DottieDees

    DottieDees

    This is a spectacular macro!! WOnderful work!

  • Dennis Gay

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    AnitaInverarity

    My pleasure Dennis, hope to join in again soon x

  • bill  oneil

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    eXposure

    to lovely Dennis
    :>)

  • Brandie1

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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-Jones

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    Rita H. Ireland 29 days ago

    awesome!

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