Right spider, wrong time

DJ-S1

Well, this not-so-little guy has been sitting on my back sliding door for over a week. I've been stalking him patiently...




This is not the shot I had in mind. I had been waiting for just the right light, no wind to shake the web, and for the red beast to be in just the perfect spot. But yesterday I noticed his web had gotten pretty well trashed from a wind storm and I wondered what he (or she) would do about it - find someplace else or rebuild.

This evening my lovely wife asked me to shuck some corn while she grilled the chicken. I grab the corn and a beer and head out the slider where I notice that my little friend has indeed rebuilt the web. In fact, it's glorious! Perfect shape, round pattern with him (or her) sitting in the center with all legs stretched out and the setting sun casting a few last rays on the scene.

Now I do some quick figuring, and decide that if I wait until after the corn-shucking is done the light will be gone. So I quickly run upstairs, grab my camera and tripod, change lenses and head back outside. On the way I recall a spray bottle of water is sitting by the grill and I figure after a few shots of it as is, I'll try to dust it with water drops for extra drama. This is going to be great!

I was gone for appoximately 90 seconds, during which time my lovely wife knocked the web down and relocated the spider to the grass!

After a good laugh, she hunted him down and put him back on the door and I grabbed that shot handheld just for fun. Man, what are the odds?

snapapple

This is not the shot I had in mind. I had been waiting for just the right light, no wind to shake the web, and for the red beast to be in just the perfect spot. But yesterday I noticed his web had gotten pretty well trashed from a wind storm and I wondered what he (or she) would do about it - find someplace else or rebuild.

This evening my lovely wife asked me to shuck some corn while she grilled the chicken. I grab the corn and a beer and head out the slider where I notice that my little friend has indeed rebuilt the web. In fact, it's glorious! Perfect shape, round pattern with him (or her) sitting in the center with all legs stretched out and the setting sun casting a few last rays on the scene.

Now I do some quick figuring, and decide that if I wait until after the corn-shucking is done the light will be gone. So I quickly run upstairs, grab my camera and tripod, change lenses and head back outside. On the way I recall a spray bottle of water is sitting by the grill and I figure after a few shots of it as is, I'll try to dust it with water drops for extra drama. This is going to be great!

I was gone for appoximately 90 seconds, during which time my lovely wife knocked the web down and relocated the spider to the grass!

After a good laugh, she hunted him down and put him back on the door and I grabbed that shot handheld just for fun. Man, what are the odds?

OH NO! That is the saddist story I have ever heard about a photographer. My spouse is always looking for "the great shot" for me. I don't think he'd do that.

But wait, there is always a great web across the path to his home office. He knocks it down almost every morning.
Gotta love em. They mean well.

Snappy