Dragon Slayer
The Subject:
Yet another quirk of Nature. A predator that hunts by speed is caught by a predator that hunts by entrapment.
A very fine specimen of Argiope keyserlingi (St Andrews Cross Spider) begins devouring her prize catch a Synthemis cyanitincta (Dragonfly).
That white “stuff” on the Dragonfly’s wings is part of the St Andrews Cross pattern these spiders spin in the centre of their web.
The Location:
Found and photographed in the front garden of my home in Port Macquarie, NSW, Australia on a balmy summer afternoon.
The Making of Dragon Slayer:
I have had my eye on this beautiful arachnid right through the summer months. She certainly is a survivor and doing very well for herself and this juicy Dragonfly will satisfy her hunger for some time.
Fuji S9600: RAW, Super Macro, Manual settings of f/8 @ 1/320sec, ISO80, Manual focus, Hand held.
Lightroom 1.1 & Photoshop CS3.
Visit the Insects & Spiders collection in my BubbleSite Gallery for more six and eight legged critters.
Enjoy!
SPIDERS
(Click the links!)
Argiope keyserlingi – Dragon Slayer
Nephila plumipes – Suspended Animation
Nephila plumipes – Time Tunnel
Nephila plumipes – Lunch is Served
Nephila plumipes – No-one Home
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
Dragon Slayer belongs to the following groups:
** Super Macro Photography (Two Per Day ), 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
Marvin Collins
Excellent nature image Dennis, great details and natural colors, very well done!!
Dennis Gay replied
G’day Marvin,
Great to see you drop by to check out the wildlife dramas in my garden and that you are the very first Bubbler to comment on this miniature scene.
Thank you so much for your most supportive and encouraging “Excellent…” wrap for my close-up arachnidian photography.
GB
Dennis
SharonD
Great macro Dennis.
Dennis Gay replied
G’day Sharon,
Lovely to see you drop by to check out the wildlife dramas in my garden and that you have spotted this miniature scene.
Many thanks indeed for your supportive and encouraging “Great macro…” wrap for my close-up arachnidian photography.
GB
Dennis
Rosie Appleton
Nice capture Dennis… I too love watching these creatures :
) I had one last year that stayed for at least 2 months I think… the babies didn’t hang around :(Dennis Gay replied
G’day Rosie,
Very nice to see you drop by to check out the wildlife dramas in my garden and that you have spotted this miniature scene.
Thank you heaps for your supportive and encouraging “Nice…” wrap for my close-up arachnidian photography and your very interesting anecdote.
GB
Dennis
kenspics
Outstanding macro Dennis!!!
Hate to see a mosquito eating dragonfly bite the dust though!! lol
Dennis Gay replied
G’day Ken,
How good to see you drop by to check out the wildlife dramas in my garden and that you have spotted this miniature scene.
Muchos gracias for your supportive and encouraging “Outstanding…” wrap for my close-up arachnidian photography.
Oh I think the Dragonfly’s time was up as summer is almst at an end here. So just consider it recycling. 8-)
GB
Dennis
kenspics
I feel better now Dennis!!!
Thank you!!