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Lord of Roses (on a throne)


Lord of Roses (on a throne)
Photo Information
Copyright: Alexei Alyokhin (Alex99) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4072 W: 133 N: 7096] (23735)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-07-01
Categories: Insects
Camera: Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D, Konica Minolta AF 100 F2.8 Macro (D), Hoya HMC Super UV(0) 55 mm
Exposure: f/19, 1/60 seconds
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Haraprasan's Favs, Favorite crab spiders [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-07-04 23:28
Viewed: 5682
Points: 128
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I plan to share two shots of the specimen: close-up picture (present post) and macro shot (next post).

Only first year of my digital photo life was rich with spider shooting. I met large enough samples of Goldemrod Crab Spider then: (Goldenrod Spider, C'est la vie (ou C'est la mort)).

However, few days ago I met small spiders on flowers, which are growing in our garden on a wife's flowers. Whole size of the insect (with its legs) was about 1 cm. It was an evening and it was so dark. That it why I have used a flash.

This species has excellent eyes eyesight and often disappear behind petals at approaching of the person. This one was so majestic to do it. He sat quietly during all photo session. And I managed to take many shoots including macro 1:1.

However I have decided to share this close-up which demonstrates (or proofs) that you see true Lord of Roses on a throne.
____

Crab Spider, any member of several families of free-living spiders that resemble small crabs. Crab spiders have short, wide, flattened bodies. The first two or three pairs of legs are longer than the rest and are normally held out from the sides of the body as a crab would hold its claws. Some crab spiders can walk forward, backward, or sideways like fiddler crabs. Worldwide there are about 2000 known species of crab spiders, 200 of which occur in North America.

Most crab spiders are less than 1 cm (0.4 in) in length, although the giant crab spider may reach 2.5 cm (1.0 in). Crab spiders do not spin webs to trap prey, but hunt on the open ground or on vegetation or flowers. In this, they resemble other free-living spiders such as jumping spiders and wolf spiders. Unlike other free-living spiders, however, all of a crab spider's eyes are small and serve primarily as motion detectors. Typical crab spiders are predators that lie in wait to ambush their prey. Though their chelicerae, or jaws, are rather small and slender, many crab spiders possess potent venoms that quickly immobilize their prey. Flower spiders, a particular type of crab spider, rest on flowers and remain motionless for long periods of time with their front two pairs of legs extended in readiness. They ambush butterflies, bees, flies, and other flower visitors; their venoms enable them to successfully attack insects much larger than themselves. They do not wrap their prey in silk after biting, but instead remain with the immobilized prey until they have sucked it dry.

In keeping with their ambush style of attack, many crab spiders are well camouflaged, blending in with their backgrounds. Some resemble tree bark, leaves, or fruits; others appear to mimic bird droppings. Some of the flower spiders are able to change their color over several days, typically between white and yellow, depending on the color of the flower on which they are resting. A common North American species is the goldenrod spider. The giant cockroach hunter is a warm-climate species which often moves northward on shipments of bananas.

Scientific classification: Common crab spiders are classified in the spider families Thomisidae and Philodromidae. Giant crab spiders, including the cockroach hunter, Heteropoda venatoria, are in the family Theridiosomatidae. The goldenrod spider is Misumena vatia, family Thomisidae.

Source:
Crab Spider

See also:
Misumena vatia
Goldenrod Spider
____

Correct time: 21:08
Almost only flash light
Exposure compensation: -0.5 eV
Handheld
SelenE, iris, JORAPAVI, GLEM, haraprasan, Dis. Ac., Amadeo, gerbilratz, maurydv, uleko, lousat, marhowie, meyerd, jaycee, nglen, red45, writerscrawlz, CeltickRanger, izler, Royaldevon, Juyona, saeedabbasi, rousettus, vmukherjee, horia, eng55, anel, Ken52, Luis52, Miss_Piggy, ramthakur, Argus, mayuresh, Heaven, eqshannon, valy67, peter_stoeckl, NinaM, cataclysta, oscarromulus, vanderschelden, gracious, jeanpaul, jusninasirun, devildoc has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To haraprasan: Many thanks.Alex99 1 07-07 11:04
To vmukherjee: Thank you so much.Alex99 1 07-07 00:24
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2249 W: 65 N: 4205] (13972)
  • [2008-07-04 23:33]

Hi Alexei,
I can see how small it is from the size of the rose. It's a very good macro. colors, textures of the rose,focus, sharpness, use of the flash light and composition are very good. TFS
Greetings,
Selen

  •      
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3097 W: 109 N: 12399] (52850)
  • [2008-07-04 23:41]

Hi Alexei,
Wonderful exposure and focus...
Nice colourful shot.
Excellent details.tfs.
Best regards,
Siggi

Hi Alexei
Wonderful capture of this crab spider. He looks very interesting against the pale colour of the rose. Great POV and excellent sharpness TFS.
Cheers
Sue

Hola Alexei,
Excelente captura de esta araña cangrejo que parece estar al acecho, gran definición en la que se aprecian muy bien los detalles, magnífica iluminación. Saludos
José Ramón

  • Great 
  • GLEM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 540 W: 87 N: 750] (10)
  • [2008-07-05 1:05]

hi Alexei
waow superbe image très esthétique. Le promontoir lui donne l'air dominatrice. Excellente netteté et rendu des couleurs incroyable.
well done

gl

Hi Alexei,
A superb capture of this crab spider. Very well composed on the rose flower. Very good and sharp details and excellent light work. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Hello Alexei,

What a very small spifer have you been photographed.
Razor sharp.
Well done.

Gert

Hola Alex, un excelente macro, una toma nitida y con buenos tonos de color. La sensación de volumen, quizá por la buena iluminación, es excelente. Un saludo

  • Great 
  • jesst Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 368 W: 0 N: 172] (2441)
  • [2008-07-05 2:07]

It's really wonderful image Alex!
Beautiful flower and amazing insect, picture is sharp , detail is great! Very good work!

Hello Alexei absolute perfection. This is a compliment to your skill as a photographer and an artist.. stunning composition, such a great pose. The whole image has a poise about it that is hard to beat... I have always regarded your work very highly and appreciated your help, but this is just perfect...


PP/S.. I have bought a micro positioning plate for my camera, so I have more control over the focus movements, it fits to the tripod. I always use manual focus, so I can now lock the lens and use the plate to adjust for fine details... regards h

Hello Alexei,

Not at home, only marking.
Mariki

Bellissima macro, ottima composizione con il ragno al centro, come si deve ad un re, e la rosa vellutata e dai colori delicati che crea un bellissimo sfondo neutro, eccellente definzione dei dettagli, perfetta esposizione con l'aggiunta della luce flash. Grazie e complimenti. Ciao Maurizio

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3396 W: 172 N: 3310] (10940)
  • [2008-07-05 3:21]

Hello Alexei,
Great capture and she has indeed found herself a fine place to sit where she is nicely camouflaged. Excellent use of fill flash that has brought out details and colours very well indeed. This is very well observed and I love the composition.
Many thanks and best wishes, Ulla

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3277 W: 148 N: 6163] (18832)
  • [2008-07-05 4:15]

What a good shot showing the Crab Spider on this lovely looking rose. I do like how it is sitting on the petal like this - like a king on its throne - good title you gave it, Alexei.
Very crisp and clear - good colours and details
Well done
Janice

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 6595 W: 89 N: 15659] (65489)
  • [2008-07-05 4:42]

Hi Alex,this pic is a very delicate composition,the soft colors are a great beauty,i like a lot the details of little crab taken so perfectly,this is art!!My best compliments,have a nice weekend,Luciano

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5137 W: 166 N: 13121] (49139)
  • [2008-07-05 5:31]

Hello Alexei,
This is great work! The colours in this photo are stunning. So beautiful! Sharpness, details and POV are excellent. The Spider in centre here is a very good choice. Brilliant photo!
Regards,
Peter

I love your little silvery spider on that pale pink rose. It is a lovely image as well as an educational one. Thanks for sharing it.

Evelynn : )

Excellent title & image Alexei,
The pose as the spider sits atop his throne is grand.
He is surveying his kingdom, as kings will do..
I like the centered comp for this as well.
Thanx for the links..I especially like "Goldenrod Spider".
Great stuff :)
Howard

Hi Alexei, again,

this is one of your very best pictures, a stage set for an opera singer---or a spider! The unusual wting position, all the many fine color tones make it a memorable sight. My congratulations to you, Alexei.
Best regards
Dietrich

Hi Alexei,
A well done composition, crab spider colurs combine perfectly with petals BG, a marvelous mimicry that allows it to survive. Complete and useful note.
Best regards
Hernán

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2454 W: 10 N: 8044] (25460)
  • [2008-07-05 10:25]

Hi Alexei.

Your photos are always something special and this is no exception. Amazing close-up of this crab spider looking so tiny on the rose petal. There is wonderful clarity to the spider and we can see every detail. Colors and textures of the rose are marvelous - I can almost smell it.

Jane

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1739 W: 224 N: 6872] (24909)
  • [2008-07-05 12:37]

What a superb image, Alexei!!
The clarity is excellent!
Very well composed, superb POV, great lighting and very sharp.

Lovely shot!

Joe

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2636 W: 74 N: 9091] (31094)
  • [2008-07-05 12:59]

Priviet Alexei!

Hail to the king! Pose and moment are excellent! Subject looks beautifull on its throne. Very detailed, sharp, with perfect DOF. Also flower is superbly captured with soft and colorfull petals.

Excellent close up! This blends in so well that I might have missed him unless I deliberately wanted to find spiders/other insects.

This is a wonderful way to be hidden in plain sight. Focus, DOF, and POV is stunning and my eye is drawn straight to the spider. Very well done. Also, your notes are fantastic.

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1772 W: 36 N: 5597] (18598)
  • [2008-07-05 23:23]

Hi Alexei,
Outstanding macro shot of this 'silver' spider on the charming pink rose. Immaculate sharpness and lovely pastel colours which is so pleasing to the eyes. Very skillful use of flash lighting and perfect exposure levels. This is a real learning experience and I wonder when I will be able yo handle light this way. Simply majestic. Excellent DOF, POV and composition. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

  • Great 
  • izler Gold Star Critiquer [C: 1387 W: 3 N: 9] (44)
  • [2008-07-06 0:23]

hello my friend
here is successful and wonderful macro photo
composition, light, DOF, focus, colours and sharpness are great
TFS
greetings
izler

Bonjour,
Que voilà un position pour le moins acrobatique.
Bonne journée.
clnaef

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 988 W: 4 N: 3277] (14761)
  • [2008-07-06 4:45]

Hello Alexei, This is superb shot. I like the view and the position of this spider. Sharp quality and brilliantly gone. Ganesh

hello Alexei

excellent mcro shot of this spider, with fine POV and DOF,
excellent sharpness and details, and we can say it is
a camouflaged creature with his environnement, TFS

Asbed

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2883 W: 30 N: 9683] (36145)
  • [2008-07-06 7:59]

Hi Alexei. This is a fine macro shot of the little spider. I do like the pose you have captured with it on its throne. Great detail and natural colours. well done TFS. interesting notes too.
Nick..

Hello Alexei,

He is certainly very small as testified by the size of the surrounding petals, yet you have managed to capture excellent details! You're right, he does look to be regally placed on a throne!
The petals are also nicely detailed and have a shine that makes them appear to be made of silk.

Kind regards,
Bev :-)

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor [C: 2232 W: 10 N: 2971] (16891)
  • [2008-07-06 12:16]

Hola amigo,
realmente preciosa,
macro de colores hermosos,
un lujo de composición,
saludos Alexei.

Hi dear Alexei ,
What a nice shot.
As always a peefect shot.
excellent light and great details.
Great exposed.
Thanks for sharing
Kind regards
Saeed

Hi Alex, amazing macro, very difficult capture of this little white spider on a splendid throne, superb details and excellent sharpness, fantastic composition, BRAVO!!! very well done, ciao Silvio

Hello Alexei,
wonderful macro shot in your usual quality. Exposure, sharpnes and focus perfect. POV and composition also great. Thanks for sharing, best wishes
Ahmet

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1369 W: 9 N: 6334] (18906)
  • [2008-07-06 22:45]

Hi Alexei

Great shot here - you have maintined excellent detail in the pale shades, despite using a flash - wonderful work here.

James

I had forgotten just how close Odessa is to Romania - however, I have not been to the Ukraine - yet! :)

Great shot! The central composition with the crab spider siting on a high part of the flower really looks like a king on the throne. Good details. And though usually I do not like flash that much, but here the flash gives a whitish metallic colour to the spider, which goes well with its kingly image. May be a little more cropping to make the spider look bigger would have been even better. Anyways, different people have different opinion. In all, a magnificient shot.

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2158 W: 224 N: 4749] (16656)
  • [2008-07-07 4:04]

Hi Alexei

Nice to see antoher exceptional close-up from you, my friend!
Great use of flash here in my opinion and as a result a beautiful light that renders the natural colors well.
Aside that, an amazing DOF ensures that almost everything in the frame is super sharp, a fact that i have to congratulate you on especially since this is a handheld shot at only 1/60 sec.
Great work in all aspects!

Bravo and TFS
Horia

  • Great 
  • eng55 Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1256 W: 42 N: 1976] (5892)
  • [2008-07-07 5:07]

Hi Alexei,
Wonderful macro shot of this white crab spider.Exposure is spot on,focus couldn't be better.POV,lighting and composition are also perfect.Very well done!
Thanks for posting.

  • Great 
  • anel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 3053 W: 3 N: 8715] (40574)
  • [2008-07-07 5:40]

hello Alex,
It's a nice throne to have and crab spiders very often choose beautiful places for their deadly intentions..
Beautiful natural production (mise en scène)with very subtle colours. Well seen.
Have a nice summer
Anne

  • Great 
  • Ken52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 636 W: 93 N: 1243] (4195)
  • [2008-07-07 14:11]

Hi Alexei,
Stunning photo! The clarity and the light are stunning. Exceptional colors and the details are amazing. It is incredible how well you captured the translucent nature of this crab spider. Outstanding composition. BRAVO!
Ken

  • Great 
  • Luis52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1175 W: 8 N: 4240] (15809)
  • [2008-07-07 14:48]

Hola Alexei.
He is well seated in his own Throne. Lovely colors in all the image, but what I like most is the sharpness in spider and in the rose all the way. Excellent use of f/19 and great light.
Your note as usual very interesting My good friend.
Luis52.

Simply put a lovely shot, Alexei!Very well captured!
Goldy

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2008-07-08 7:54]

Hello Alex

Well the title is so appropriate.
The rose is well focused with lovely textures.
It looks like satin and a perfect setting for this regal spider.
With the fragrance of a rose it must be a luxuriant home for an insect.
The details are sharp.
Excellent colour saturation.
TFS

Rob

Hi Alex,
It's pretty funny small fella. It blends well with the flower. Great details!
Cheers, Andriy

Hallo Alexei my friend,
As usual your image is jammed packed with excellence. This spider surely has a royal apprearance and your title is most applicable.You have captured and presented this greyish spider with great skill and preciseness. I especially find the visability of the spikes on the legs of the spider very noticeable and clear. A awesome shot. Thanks for this contribution.
Kind regards
Anna

Hi Alexei,
I was down with viral fever and then my net connection also went dead in the past couple of days. I am sorry about my delayed response to your kind words of my dragonfly image. Today I am working TN from my office.

This picture of a Crab Spider on a rose flower is breathtakingly beautiful.
The macro of the spider is so sharp it has a third dimension.
The colour of the rose too is unique and goes well with the subject.
Thanks for sharing it and warm regards.
Ram

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5038 W: 260 N: 15594] (50626)
  • [2008-07-09 3:22]

Hello Alexei,
A marvellous macro of a Crab Spider caught with total sharpness from a great POV. Despite the camouflage BG of the white rose, the crab spider is clearly seen with fine details that show the different colour nuances of this whitish individual and the use of flash is skillful to give just the right exposure without glare.
Thanks for sharing this beauty,
Ivan

Hello Alexi,
this is excellent outstanding and wonderful macro shot,superb lighting,sharpness and exposure,
very well done,
tfs

Hi Alex!

The spider is very well put on stage, and the colours are superb, although in general I don't like very much the flashlight. In this particular case I must admit that the effect of "killing" the colours seems not to have occured. It's just the uniformity of the light intensity that disturbs me a bit.

This doesn't change anything to the fact that the picture is superb and a very successful close up. It's not easy to catch such a little guy at the very moment when he is... sitting on his throne!

:-)

Kind regards

Markus

Aha! You saw my crab spider and just had to do it about 10X better eh? I am pleased to inspire:-) A super macro-ish image Alexei. what one comes to expect from a man with a very highly educated and technical mind, with a bit of creativity thrown in for good measure!
Bob

Hello Alexei !
Another amazing picture from you - so beautiful ! Even if I don't like spiders, I can appeciate the beauty of this little creature, and I also like the way he is sitting on his "throne". Very nice. You have captured him with great details, and you made perfect use of your flash. The color of the rose is wonderful too, such a delicate shade of pink. Very well done !
Valerie.

  • Great 
  • iris Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 479 W: 60 N: 970] (3088)
  • [2008-07-10 3:55]

I love the creamy smooth exposure here Alex and of course the subject, who is smart enough to know you are no danger to him/her and also posed for you to your heart's content.

I have tried to appraoch the crab spider that i found in our garden here consistetnly for 4-5 days.But i couldnt produce the same effect as you on the spider in my garden.So i am yet to do a good shot of the crab spider...some day perhaps...

This one that you present here is a wonderful shot.The PoV takes the cake here ....the way you have the spider positioned as if in the middle and top of the flower,makes the spider look very grand.Its light colour goes excellently well with the light peach shade of the flower.

The use of flash is perfect and the lighting and the tones are done in fine measure.Thank you for sharing this beauty, dear Alexei.

Cheers
Cheers

  • Great 
  • Nilson Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 488 W: 0 N: 566] (4423)
  • [2008-07-10 15:24]

Muito bem fotografada e observada neste branco limpo, o interessante é que esta aranha muda de cor conforme a planta um exelente trabalho.
Nilson

Dear Alexei,
a fabulously well composed super macro of great intensity and beauty. I love the very precise main object imbedded in those opulent shapes of rose petals in wonderful pastel colours.
And what a great title. Excellent nature photography combined with a classical opera's sense of beautiful drama. Thank you!
With all my best wishes,
Peter

P.S.: I am just enjoying a short late night computer session since many days of blissful absence from modern technology - a short interrupt of urbanized comfort between exciting mountain trips through our Alpine mountains. So much to see there in primordial sceneries, and every year is surpassing the previous ones in terms of density and beauty.

  • Great 
  • cako Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 485 W: 0 N: 772] (3395)
  • [2008-07-12 12:04]

Hi Alexei
very nice shot, I liked the pov very much, lovely composition, liked the sharp image with good details
very well done.

  • Great 
  • NinaM Gold Star Critiquer [C: 773 W: 3 N: 1157] (4077)
  • [2008-07-12 14:43]

Wow, Alex, I thought Lord of Roses was the real name of this crab spider! It is a breathtaking picture, with the spider posing for you in such a captivating pose! The rose looks sensational I must say, with a velvet like texture even on the throne of the spider. We perfectly see all the details and even though you used the flash, it is perfectly lit and beautiful. Thank you Alex, great picture!

Francine

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1393 W: 119 N: 5267] (23955)
  • [2008-07-13 6:01]

Hello Alexei, that's a fantastic shot of this spider, the sharpness is perfect and the colors are soft and subtil, well done, thanks!

Mario

Hi Alex
It is beautiful. Great camouflage. Great POV ,good sharpness but firs of all it is so elegant Fantastic
TFS
Krzysztof

Alexei,
Absolutely STUNNING!!!
This is perhaps the best of the best of your work.
Simply AMAZING!!!
You are an OUTSTANDINGLY patient being.
Thanks for sharing this BEAUTY.
Mario, your friend in Canada.
P.S. EXCELLENT PIECE OF WORK. All is great!!!

Hi Alexei,
A throne in a rose, and the king is a crab spider.
The Odessa kingdom has a good photographer apparently.
Well done
TFS
Annick

Sencillamente: IMPRESIONANTE !!
Ya te lo han dicho todo...
Abrazo.

Hello my friend Alexei,
I seem to miss out this great work from my friend somehow!
Now I see the big different between closeup and macro from the last post of it!
is as good as in both with perfect exposure and focus too
my compliment for your talent in nature shots all the while!
take good care and sincere regards from NZ always
Tony

bonjour Alexei
C'est une tres belle macro que tu nous presentes là,qui nous fait voir la taille reelle de cette araignée.
Bravo et au revoir....JP

This is an amazing spider shot Alexei. Perfectly perched in very good camouflage on the fragile rose petals. Well seen and captured in beautiful details.
Thanks and happy boxing day to you my friend.
Greeting from Malaysia - Jusni

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