Another of life's dramas
Nov 10, 2013 17:58:56 #
The photo quality is not the best, but still worth sharing I think.
I over the years have been privileged to see many things that most people don't. On this day I was able to record one.
I was walking back from the ponds on my way to class. I was by the benches when out of the corner of my right eye I caught movement. It was a blue mud dauber wasp (Chalybion californium) I trained my camera on it in hopes of it landing for a shot. It flew under a table and right into a spider web, I was right behind it. As soon as it hit the web it was set upon by a Marbled Orbweaver (Araneus marmoreus) I think. I begin to understand why the ancient masters of the marital arts studied the insects. At first it seemed that the spider had been successful and had paralyzed the wasp, for the wasp was not moving. BUT this is what really happened, as soon as the spider made its move on the wasp, the wasp countered and grabbed the spiders two front legs with its mandibles keeping the spiders fangs from its throat. The struggle continued with each of the predators trying to get the upper hand. The wasp tightened its grip on the spiders legs, and through shear force of strength broke free of the web! The wasp landed on the bench adjusted its grip and took to the air to bring its primary weapon (stinger) into play. The predator was now the pray. WHAT A THING TO SEE!
1.
http://i935.photobucket.com/albums/ad192/Thunderhaven/IMG_77860.jpg
2.
http://i935.photobucket.com/albums/ad192/Thunderhaven/IMG_77870.jpg
3.
http://i935.photobucket.com/albums/ad192/Thunderhaven/IMG_77880.jpg
4.
http://i935.photobucket.com/albums/ad192/Thunderhaven/IMG_77890.jpg
I over the years have been privileged to see many things that most people don't. On this day I was able to record one.
I was walking back from the ponds on my way to class. I was by the benches when out of the corner of my right eye I caught movement. It was a blue mud dauber wasp (Chalybion californium) I trained my camera on it in hopes of it landing for a shot. It flew under a table and right into a spider web, I was right behind it. As soon as it hit the web it was set upon by a Marbled Orbweaver (Araneus marmoreus) I think. I begin to understand why the ancient masters of the marital arts studied the insects. At first it seemed that the spider had been successful and had paralyzed the wasp, for the wasp was not moving. BUT this is what really happened, as soon as the spider made its move on the wasp, the wasp countered and grabbed the spiders two front legs with its mandibles keeping the spiders fangs from its throat. The struggle continued with each of the predators trying to get the upper hand. The wasp tightened its grip on the spiders legs, and through shear force of strength broke free of the web! The wasp landed on the bench adjusted its grip and took to the air to bring its primary weapon (stinger) into play. The predator was now the pray. WHAT A THING TO SEE!
1.
http://i935.photobucket.com/albums/ad192/Thunderhaven/IMG_77860.jpg
2.
http://i935.photobucket.com/albums/ad192/Thunderhaven/IMG_77870.jpg
3.
http://i935.photobucket.com/albums/ad192/Thunderhaven/IMG_77880.jpg
4.
http://i935.photobucket.com/albums/ad192/Thunderhaven/IMG_77890.jpg
Nov 10, 2013 18:45:40 #
Damn! What macro-drama. Nice capture!
This emphasizes my personal theory that I would rather be lucky than good. I can always practice to get better, but luck is completely unpredictable.
This emphasizes my personal theory that I would rather be lucky than good. I can always practice to get better, but luck is completely unpredictable.
Nov 10, 2013 18:59:40 #
Nikonian72 wrote:
Damn! What macro-drama. Nice capture!
This emphasizes my personal theory that I would rather be lucky than good. I can always practice to get better, but luck is completely unpredictable.
This emphasizes my personal theory that I would rather be lucky than good. I can always practice to get better, but luck is completely unpredictable.
Thank you Douglass :)
An interesting take on luck. I will think on your words. That does make sense.
Nov 10, 2013 19:03:53 #
I believe your spider is actually a female Hammock spider (Pityohyphantes costatus) page #38:
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Portals/9/pdf/pub5140.pdf
"The spider is pale with a distinctive dark mark down the back of the abdomen that looks like a series of triangular marks stacked together."
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Portals/9/pdf/pub5140.pdf
"The spider is pale with a distinctive dark mark down the back of the abdomen that looks like a series of triangular marks stacked together."
Nov 10, 2013 19:17:37 #
Nikonian72 wrote:
I believe your spider is actually a female Hammock spider (Pityohyphantes costatus) page #38:
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Portals/9/pdf/pub5140.pdf
"The spider is pale with a distinctive dark mark down the back of the abdomen that looks like a series of triangular marks stacked together."
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Portals/9/pdf/pub5140.pdf
"The spider is pale with a distinctive dark mark down the back of the abdomen that looks like a series of triangular marks stacked together."
Works for me. I am one of those photographers that is more skilled in the taking of the shot than in the ID of the subject. I look in the books, and hope for the best.
Nov 11, 2013 23:58:15 #
Nov 12, 2013 06:05:34 #
riverlass wrote:
Nice, thunder. What a treat to see. Thanks.
Thank you riverlass :)
I have a few more like this somewhere. I'll post as I find them :)
Nov 21, 2013 17:27:50 #
Nov 21, 2013 21:24:08 #
raymondh wrote:
Tremendous series!
Thank you raymondh :)
I am glad you like it :)
Nov 27, 2013 00:09:53 #
Thunder_o_b wrote:
The photo quality is not the best, but still worth... (show quote)
Great images and nice narration. :thumbup: :thumbup:
Nov 27, 2013 18:49:07 #
joer wrote:
Great images and nice narration. :thumbup: :thumbup:
Thank you joer :)
Nov 30, 2013 20:16:45 #
Nov 30, 2013 20:19:23 #
Dixiegirl wrote:
Wow!!! Super shots and very interesting narrative. Well done.
Thank you Dixiegirl :)
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.