Early morning death

[sirhc55]

Not the best of pics but had to react fast as the victim was being dragged to a lair

[big pix]

bit off more than it can chew......... it that why its walking........ good capture

[BBJ]

WoW Chris, thats an awsome picture and a good catch as well, i had to have look a few times to see who was eating who.

[gstark]

Chris ...

For once, I'm speechless!

[bloop]

I can see a spider, but what's the other thing?

[Glen]

Great capture Chris

[Zeeke]

Looks like a wasp... ... they sting spiders but keep them alive, then drag them back to there nest where they lay an egg ontop which later hatches and eats the spider alive... then pupates and turns into another waspy..

Tim

[thaddeus]

Great shot - not only is it technically good but it mixes in science and tells a story about how tough nature is.

Actually, the only thing I'd suggest (and feel free to ignore me if you think it debases your image!) would be to add a caption along the lines of Zeeke's comment (edited down of course).

Then again, I've always been mesmerised by Dorling Kindersley books!

[marcotrov]

Tremendous capture, particularly given time you had. Great use of the rule of '69' in your composition. Well done.
cheers
marco

[kipper]

There had to be one didn't there!

[wendellt]

Well captured chris

but it looks like the fly thing got the spider is that right?

[marcotrov]

Sorry Kipper it's just one of those moments you just have to grasp. I'm embarrassed now... I'm over it now!
cheers
marco

[JordanP]

Nicely done Chris. Which lens were you using? I would not have liked to get too close myself.

[sirhc55]

Thanks everyone for your comments. Kipper, the 69 action was what made me grab the camera

The lens used was the Sigma 105mm macro at 1:1, manual focus. SB800 off camera holding the flash in one hand and the camera (D2Hs) in the other - I had to do major PP’ing as I had grossly underexposed due to having little to no time to get the shot

[kipper]

What is the flying insect on top, somebody said it's a wasp but of what variety as it looks mostly black?

[marcotrov]

I have been tossing up which macro lens to get sofar its Nikon 105 micro, sigma 150 macro (supposed to be great with reach) and the tamron 90 SP but the Sigma 105 looks great or it just could be the skill of the user, John. Anyone made any comparisons? I don't mean to hijack this thread though!
cheers
marco

[Hlop]

Verry impressive capture, Chris!

[gstark]

I have been tossing up which macro lens to get sofar its Nikon 105 micro, sigma 150 macro (supposed to be great with reach) and the tamron 90 SP but the Sigma 105 looks great or it just could be the skill of the user, John. Anyone made any comparisons? I don't mean to hijack this thread though!
cheers
marco

In this ionstance, it's the skill of the photographer.

[sirhc55]

I have been tossing up which macro lens to get sofar its Nikon 105 micro, sigma 150 macro (supposed to be great with reach) and the tamron 90 SP but the Sigma 105 looks great or it just could be the skill of the user, John. Anyone made any comparisons? I don't mean to hijack this thread though!
cheers
marco

In this ionstance, it's the skill of the photographer.

[gstark]

Chris,

You're welcome.

[jethro]

Good stuff Chris. Lightning hands to get this
J

[MattC]

Looks like a wasp... ... they sting spiders but keep them alive, then drag them back to there nest where they lay an egg ontop which later hatches and eats the spider alive... then pupates and turns into another waspy...

Sorta makes me feel glad that we do not live in the insect world. This is the sort of stuff that can, and does, get turned into sci-fi horror.

Cheers

[mic]

Lovely way to start a day Chris with Death Better luck next time Louey

Well caught Chris & Spider

Mic.

[kipper]

Mic, I think the spider was the one caught.

[Slider]

Awesome shot Chris.

[Potatis]

WOW! Amazing!

[sirhc55]

Lovely way to start a day Chris with Death Better luck next time Louey

Well caught Chris & Spider

Mic.

Kipper is right Mic - the one on his back is the one in the death throes

[kipper]

So what is the insect on top?

[sirhc55]

So what is the insect on top?

No idea - was hoping that Rel would have the answer

[mic]

Ahhhh Haaaa ! I don't think so boys, didn't you ever watch the wrestling Thats the famous reverse off the ropes pin the spider to the floor routine.

You guys are suckers

Mic, in the sleeper hold

[Neeper]

WOW!!

[blacknstormy]

Hey Chris - sorry I missed this photo (there are sooo many posted every day, and I am a slack cow ).

This is indeed a Pompillidae - some of which are large wasps called Spider Wasps because their young feed on paralyzed spiders. They generally are black or brown but some are brightly colored or metallic. Spider wasps are common and are often observed searching for spiders on lawns. Others can be seen moving quickly along the trunks of fallen trees, flitting their wings.

I've seen these wasps sit after they have paralysed the spider and neatly bite off and discard each of the spiders legs - just leaving the torso and head (the nice meaty bits). This makes it easier for the wasp to carry/fly with, and also makes it much easier to stuff the remaining paralysed spider into the cell, into which the wasp will then lay an egg, from which the larvae will hatch. The larvae then proceeds to devour the still living paralysed spider.

Isn't the insect world fascinating??????

Nice shot

[tarotastic]

Incredible. What an amazing capture.

[Greg B]

Outstanding shot Chris, I have a 105 (although it is only a Nikkor) but am nowhere near your skill level. Very impressive.

Rel, thanks for that information. Very interesting, and a bit icky.