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Predation

Gallery: Macro & Close-upPosted August 24, 201498 views8 comments

I went out to photograph massasauga rattlesnakes this morning, but the snakes were not cooperative. Instead, I found a European yellow jacket being preyed upon by a crab spider. K5 IIs 300mm f4 plus 50mm extension (ISO 640, 1/125 sec at f/11); LR exposure +.5, NR, shadows and highlights, Cs5 Levels, Topaz Detail, Topaz In Focus, crop for composition.................................Jim

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by scott lanz on August 24, 2014 at 8:51 PM

Excellent detail in a compelling insect behavior image, Jim. The flora and colorful bg make a nice setting for the interaction. Nice find and an excellent image.

Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments

Comment posted by Balan Vinod on August 25, 2014 at 12:49 PM

A fantastic story teller here Jim. dont know if there could be one bit more space on the right of the frame ..thats personal though ..

Balan Vinod

Registered on March 20, 2006, 889 Posts, 2312 Comments

Comment posted by Yun Gao on August 25, 2014 at 7:56 PM

Wonderful moment, Jim. The prey is gigantic. Nice setting with all the green background. Well done!

Registered on September 11, 2012, 267 Posts, 1621 Comments

Comment posted by gary phillips on August 26, 2014 at 2:15 AM

I am amazed at the variety of prey these little crabs will tackle. Nice moment to capture, Jim.

Registered on October 24, 2013, 185 Posts, 4136 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on August 26, 2014 at 8:57 AM

A slightly smaller predator... Pretty amazing what these crab spiders can catch, you'd think that the yellow jacket could fight back with its stinger and size. Great detail here in both insects plus very complementary colors. Well seen and presented, Jim.

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on August 26, 2014 at 9:57 AM

Nice details and great light Jim.
Very natural looking colors & a well composed frame..
Amazing that the wasp was subdued by the crab spider, I bet wasp's not usually on the menu

An equal opportunity killer this one

Well done!

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Wolfenden on August 26, 2014 at 2:37 PM

Great to have spotted this incident, Jim, and very well photographed ! The framing of the scene is excellent, the colour and detail also.

Registered on May 18, 2007, 1108 Posts, 7647 Comments

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on August 27, 2014 at 10:53 PM

Hi Jim

beautifully composed showing unusual insect behavior. never thought a crab spider would try to subdue a wasp... the light, detail and colors are delightful to behold

Albert Darmo
Canada

Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments