Garden Spider V Caterpillar

[Nick Smith]

I was out in the garden looking for stuff to photograph when I came across a caterpillar caught in a Garden Spider web. Hope you like the following images.








These I took of another garden Spider waiitng for something to stray into it's web.

[Jason Green]

Hi Nick,

A nice set there! What lens did you use?

Take care,

Jason

[Nick Smith]

Hi Jason, thanks for the positive comment

I used a Canon EOS 40D body with a Sigma 70-300mm APO DG lens using the macro setting varying between 200mm and 300mm. I am quite pleased with these as it was blustery. The spider had to make running repairs to the web (some of the images) to secure the caterpillar as it was getting blown all over the place. I have been trying to get good photo's of the Garden Spiders, I know they are very common but it is a good subject to practice on while I wait for better

I have found it quite difficult, even on clear sunny days. I would like to get a better macro lens for this sort of thing.

Cheers! Nick.

[Hedera]

Clever Creatures, these spiders. Never seen a caterpillar caught, though. my "Tiger" outside the window has had a wasp, three hoverbees, and lots of gnatty flies. Fun watching therm get wrapped up like a taco. A good set of pictures you got!

[Nick Smith]

I think it was a case of unlucky caterpillar which looked like it had been blown off a leaf and crashed into the web at an acute angle so hit loads of threads. The spiders web was almost completely destroyed in the incident.

[Nick Smith]

This is one I am quite proud of as it was taken using a bicycle light to illuminate the specimen, same kit, Canon 40D / Sigma lens. It has been edited slightly as there was a green shoot coming down from the spider which is actually eating a Ladybird. The spider had wrapped the Ladybird and the green shoot up together.

[Nick Smith]

Originally Posted by Hedera

A good set of pictures you got!

Why thank you it is always nice to get compliments.

[Hedera]

Evidently likes a bit of salad with his lunch!

[charlieb]

The caterpillars a Dot Moth in case you were wondering

[birding dave]

Here's one I took outside the front door of a friend's house. The smaller male is approaching the female, plucking the web as he goes - to let her know he's come courting and is not prey caught in the web.