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Garden wolf spider - Lycosa godeffroyi, with hatchlings on her back

Wow, i have never seen anything like it before! how did u manage to get such a great shot? I had no idea spiders hatchlings can stick to mum like that, incredible. I just learnt something new for the day. Thanks. Love the picture, very sharp and eye capturing.
Kristen

Very nice,,,,you havent given any information about what equipment etc was used??

What you do with your camera is a higher calling then 'art'. The recording of our vanishing species is imperative. One day only the pictures will be left.

Matt. K wrote:.... The recording of our vanishing species is imperative. One day only the pictures will be left.

my friend..believe me...godeffroyi is anything but vanishing, I'd place it with Blattids....it will be here way past human occupation.

Hi guys - thanks for the feedback - and sorry about the delay... there are some major earthworks going on in my backyard, and yesterday was spent trying to move trees, a water tanketc to be ready .... we didn't move enough, and Damo just moved another 4 while dodging an excavator .. oh well

Kristen - if you lie down in front of the spider and take the shot, you get some nice 'front on' eye action. Quite a few of the wolf spiders (I'm not sure - maybe all ??) actually carry the hatchlings with them - they are roaming predators, and don't build a web, so they take the babies with them to ensure their survival (much like being in a mobile web I spose )

Matt - scorpion man is probably right on this one - go out at night and you see these guys everywhere. But thank you so much for your kind comment - It is much appreciated

Scorpion man - sorry, I don't usually put my shooting stuff on - I always do approximately the same thing (oops - except now a different camera ) but
this shot was iso 500, f20 @ 1/250, SB800 with the PJ lightsphere and diffuser dome. oops - and the 105 macro lens (not vr)

Have a great one guys I'm off to the back yard to see what that bloody big bang was
Rel

Matt. K wrote:What you do with your camera is a higher calling then 'art'. The recording of our vanishing species is imperative. One day only the pictures will be left.

I agree with the sentiment. Rel's photos are excellent.

Although I can't help but think that we (mankind) will disappear before spiders do!

blacknstormy wrote:go out at night and you see these guys everywhere.

And the easiest way to find them is to hold a bright torch to the side of your head, next to one of your eyes so that it points straight ahead. Scan the grass and you will see the reflection of their eyes (like cat's eyes) and then just move in on them. Note you need to do this on a dry night as water from rain and dew will also reflect and it makes it difficult to find them. Oh... and your lawn should be mown.

ATJ wrote:Scan the grass and you will see the reflection of their eyes (like cat's eyes) and then just move in on them

and you will be totally amazed how big an eye shine can come from such a small small spider - it amazes me that sometimes the biggest eyeshine comes from such a baby/juvenile spider !!!!

ATJ wrote:Oh... and your lawn should be mown.

 LOL- I'll go tell Damian

blacknstormy

go out at night and you see these guys everywhere.

Do you think I'm crazy? The night is for predators!

blacknstormy wrote:if you lie down in front of the spider and take the shot, you get some nice 'front on' eye action.

Rel

You expect us to lie on the ground near these things to get a nice front on eye action? Do Nikon make a 1500mm macro?

I think I'll just leave the spider shots to you Rel.

chicken

ABG wrote:

blacknstormy wrote:if you lie down in front of the spider and take the shot, you get some nice 'front on' eye action.

Rel

You expect us to lie on the ground near these things to get a nice front on eye action? Do Nikon make a 1500mm macro?

I think I'll just leave the spider shots to you Rel.

Hmmm I have a Sigma 180mm Macro, wouldn't mind a Micro-Nikkor 1500mm f/2.8 if they made one though, you'd be able to take spider shots from the safety of inside the house!!

I think I'll try that torch trick.

Cheers

aim54x wrote:I think I'll try that torch trick.

It also works for frogs and a number of other organisms. It's great on night dives, too. Red eyes are crustaceans, green eyes are sharks.

ATJ wrote:

aim54x wrote:I think I'll try that torch trick.

It also works for frogs and a number of other organisms. It's great on night dives, too. Red eyes are crustaceans, green eyes are sharks.

Thanks I'll remember that for when I do get my Diving license and do some diving.

I used to like going to Queensland but you are putting me off!
Seriously; this is great photography. Just wish I had the nerve to get near them...

ewm3 wrote:I used to like going to Queensland but you are putting me off!

Wolf spiders are found Australia wide. Your backyard is probably teeming with them.

Typical quality from you Rel - excellent, that is!

Will have to get out my Wolf Eyes torch (thanks Glen!) and go hunting for Wolf Spiders.

Yes lets get out the WE's (I love my Defender 260!!!). Spider hunting will be added with, AF assist lamp (my 180mm macro obscures the built in one), dissecting scope lamp, microtome lamp, reading light, late night light (2% is perfect for this) and best of all to dazzle people.