Outdoor Ontario

Wildlife Reports => Southern Ontario Wildlife => Topic started by: Brian Bailey on August 13, 2009, 10:55:20 PM

Title: Itsy Bitsy Spiders
Post by: Brian Bailey on August 13, 2009, 10:55:20 PM

Walking the (very short) Lighthouse Point Trail at Killbear Provincial Park last weekend, my daughter noticed a "cool spider" on the rocks.  Closer inspection revealed that the furry looking spider was actually a mother covered with young.  I knew some spiders did that, but I don't remember ever seeing it before.

The body (including babies) was about the size of my thumbnail.  Fortunately I was carrying a macro lens :D .  Too bad I left my tripod at the campsite  :( .

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3453/3818821837_dfdbb70dbe_o.jpg)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2438/3818821735_09108d1dcd_o.jpg)

BB

Title: Steady hand!
Post by: Howieh on August 13, 2009, 11:40:20 PM

Well done Brian! looks like you really didn't need the tripod!

Title:
Post by: The Observer on August 14, 2009, 12:36:43 AM

WT... WOW!!!! Thank you for this... not anything I could ever imagine (and now with these pics I don't have to...)

Really wonderful shots and top marks to your daughter who noticed the "cool furry spider"!

Title:
Post by: Marnie on August 14, 2009, 01:09:25 PM

Wow, that's so cool! Good work.

Title:
Post by: Kin Lau on August 14, 2009, 01:54:59 PM

That's a great shot.

Title:
Post by: Bird Brain on August 14, 2009, 03:32:30 PM

Wow!  Those are some really awesome, cool and freaky photos!  :D

Jo-Anne  :)

Title:
Post by: Anonymous on August 14, 2009, 07:56:17 PM

Amazing shot!

Title:
Post by: Brian Bailey on August 14, 2009, 11:43:56 PM

Thanks everyone, it was a unique photo op.

It was also refreshing to note that at one point there were 4 young girls crouched over the spider, all going "ooooo", not "ick".

I was so interested in the babies, that I didn't notice the eyes until I saw them on my computer screen.  Eight legs, eight eyes - I never knew!  Here's a closer view of her head:
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3519/3821589729_a11d7cb4de_o.jpg)
BB

Title:
Post by: Bird Brain on August 15, 2009, 09:27:12 AM

Any guess as to how many babies are actually on her?   :shock:

Jo-Anne  :)

Title:
Post by: The Observer on August 15, 2009, 02:15:25 PM

How many? Probably some of the birders from Hawk Hill that easily calculate the # of raptors in a kettle can!

Verrrry funny!

Title:
Post by: Bird Brain on August 15, 2009, 09:28:49 PM

Quote from: "The Observer"

How many? Probably some of the birders from Hawk Hill that easily calculate the # of raptors in a kettle can!

Verrrry funny!

I liken it to trying to guess the number of jellybeans in a jar!   :lol:

Title:
Post by: Tommy on August 16, 2009, 08:11:27 AM

Nicely done, Brain.  8)


I would like to share this image... similar to your shot.... which was taken last year in the upper Amazons.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v50/i.post/pic/Scorpionmom.jpg)


You ask how many babies?? Not that many...count for yourself.......4
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v50/i.post/pic/babycloseup.jpg)

Title:
Post by: surfinbird on August 19, 2009, 09:41:15 PM

Very nice picture . I have a before picture sort of .
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3232/2743461031_af34c4f7b1_b.jpg)