Opilione on Chrysanthemum

Paul Iddon

Opiliones are known better as harvestmen - those spider-like thingies which are not spiders at all. The body of a harvestman is so characteristic that they are easy to recognize. They go by many names: daddy long-legs, harvestmen, shepherd spiders, and harvest spiders. These eight-legged arachnids are commonly misidentified as spiders, they actually belong to their own, separate group – the order Opiliones.

They are awkward to photograph mainly due to their legs being incredibly long - as much as 2 inches each one, which means to fit one into the viewfinder in its entirety leads to poorer composition - hence I tend to get in closer and concentrate on the best bit - the body and those 2 little eyes and it's mouth parts!

Anyway, here is one such harvestman, posing quite nicely for me on a chrysanthemum flower. Enjoy.


Exif:

Camera Maker: Canon
Camera Model: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Lens: EF100mm f/2.8 Macro USM
Image Date: 2013-07-31 16:42:18 +0000
Focal Length: 100mm
Aperture: f/10.0
Exposure Time: 0.0050 s (1/200)
ISO equiv: 200
Exposure Bias: none
Metering Mode: Matrix
Exposure: Manual
Exposure Mode: Manual
White Balance: Auto
Flash Fired: Yes (Auto, return light detected)
Orientation: Normal
Color Space: Adobe RGB (1998)
GPS Coordinate: undefined, undefined
Creator: Photographer: Paul Iddon
Copyright: Paul Iddon - A View of the UK








Paul.

basflt

this is a really nice one to look at

Paul Iddon

Thanks Bas.

I planned the line of the petals to compliment the harvestman's legs hopefully...

Paul.

Lord Vetinari

Wonderful capture Paul
Brian v.

Paul Iddon

Cheers Brian

Paul.

keithrussell42

Very nice image. Thanks for sharing!

Paul Iddon

Thanks Keith.

Paul.