So I've decided that I might as well go for 10 in a row and have the entire front page be spider posts... This is number 9, so we'll have one more, and then I have a treat for you.

Today's spider photo came out of the camera just like this. I managed to catch this little jumping spider in this nice pose on a pure white background. I really like the composition here, and I think the shadow positioning just makes it perfect.

Technical Data: Canon EOS 7D, Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x Macro, 1/250 sec at f/11. Canon Macro Twin Lite MT-24EX in ETTL mode. ISO 100. RAW processing in Adobe Camera Raw.

Obviously, stop back tomorrow (as long as I can find a few minutes to post it) for one more spider, and then we'll try something different.

- Bill

Ok - been busy, haven't had much time for photography or blog posting, but I found another ant-mimic jumping spider last week, so I couldn't pass up that opportunity...

Technical Data: Canon EOS 7D, Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x Macro, 1/250 sec at f/11. Canon Macro Twin Lite MT-24EX in ETTL mode. ISO 100. RAW processing and cropped in Adobe Camera Raw.

I have more to share, and hopefully I'll be able to find the time to do so.

- Bill

Alright, I will admit - this is a creepy looking spider. This is the first time I've seen a spider like this, but it really is an interesting one. I've never seen a spider sit in this posture with its back legs bent in such a way.

As you should have surmised by now, it is a Tmarus angulatus (sorry, there isn't a common name for this one), and it is in the crab spider family. Apparently these tend to rest on branches of plants and trees (instead of flowers like some crab spiders) and use the shape of the abdomen to look like a new bud growing out of the branch. Then they pounce on their prey with lighting quick speed, holding on to them with those long front legs.

It is amazing just how many types of spiders there are, and how they've adapted to so many niche environments.

Creepy or not, they are really fascinating.

- Bill

Ok - been a while since I've done one of these... here's a nice assortment of the jumping spiders I've been shooting so far this year...

Good stuff.

- Bill

Just a quick post today, I'll provide more background on this later...

Technical Data: Canon EOS 7D, Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM with Yellow 12 Filter and unknown extension tubes, 1/120 sec at f/5. Image Stabilization on. ISO 800. Canon Speedlight 580EX II flash in auto mode and special fluorescence excitation filter. RAW processing in Adobe Camera Raw.

- Bill

Ok - just a quick easy poll here... do you like the original vertical orientation or the horizontal cropped orientation of this spider?

Original Vertical

Cropped Horizontal

Cast your vote and leave me a comment why you chose what you chose.

- Bill

I have to admit that this first image here was a happy mistake. I wasn't planning it, but the one flash head of my twin macro flash was hidden behind a leaf and thus caused this dramatic side-lit shadow.

Technical Data: Canon EOS 7D, Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x Macro, 1/250 sec at f/11. Canon Macro Twin Lite MT-24EX in ETTL mode. ISO 100. RAW processing in Adobe Camera Raw.

After working with this spider for a few minutes, I realized how cooperative and calm it was being, so I figured I could try a couple more experimental shots with this little guy. I have one more that I will share tomorrow, but here's a rather fun angle for a spider shot...

Technical Data: Canon EOS 7D, Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x Macro, 1/250 sec at f/11. Canon Macro Twin Lite MT-24EX in ETTL mode. ISO 100. RAW processing in Adobe Camera Raw.

- Bill

As promised, here are a couple more of this cool little spider.

I don't know whether there is something about this spider or whether I was being inconsistent in both my photo captures and processing, but it certainly seems like the results of these photos are wildly varied. Today's set, you will see, are much brighter and the colors stand out better - particularly the red. Perhaps it was an angle of the light kind of thing, or perhaps just user error on my part. Regardless, I think these shots show off this spider a bit better than the previous one.

Technical Data: Canon EOS 7D, Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x Macro, 1/250 sec at f/11 (except first image at f/16). Canon Macro Twin Lite MT-24EX in ETTL mode. ISO 100. RAW processing and cropped in Adobe Camera Raw.

The parade of spiders will continue as I have a couple others to share, so stay tuned!

- Bill

I haven't ever seen a spider around here with such a bright red, so when I saw this tiny little guy (I will have to get the size later when I process one of the 1:1 images) and that red almost looked like it was on fire. So I quickly grabbed it to bring home for a photo session. I found this on the internet, and it appears to be Habronattus coecatus, regardless it sure is a beauty!

Technical Data: Canon EOS 7D, Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x Macro, 1/250 sec at f/11. Canon Macro Twin Lite MT-24EX in ETTL mode. ISO 100. RAW processing in Adobe Camera Raw, additional modifications in Photoshop CS5.

I have more photos of this and some other jumpers that I still have to process, so stop back soon for them.

- Bill

Ok, I know this shot has some blown highlights, but I just think it looks funny if you think about a spider opening a cup of yogurt... :)

Technical DataCanon EOS 7D, Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x Macro, 1/250 sec at f/11. Canon Macro Twin Lite MT-24EX in ETTL mode. ISO 100. RAW processing in Adobe Camera Raw.

Tomorrow we'll look at some birds, so those of you not liking the spiders should stop back then...

- Bill