Pirata piraticus (Pirate otter-spider)

Written by Webmaster Monday, 06 September 2010 00:00

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“If your photographs aren’t good enough, you are not close enough.”  Robert Cappa

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pirata piraticus (Family: Lycosidae; common name: Pirate otter-spider)

Eight species of this beautiful small Lycosid occur in Europe. Almost all species inhabit wet, marshy areas. They are adapted to run across water. They construct silk tubes leading from the surface of moss down towards the water. Their size varies between 4 and 8 mm. Pirata likes to hunt near or on the water. This spider walks quickly and easily on the surface by means of water-repellent hairs on its legs, though it is quicker on duckweed and other floating leaves. It may even go under water; trapping air between the hairs in its abdomen it may stay there for hours like the true water spider. The female spins a sturdy cocoon for her eggs and carries this with her, attached on her back.

Photos by Mahi Goula and George Parchas

Shooting Data:

1. Camera: Canon EOS 7D
Lens: Canon EF 180mmf/3.5L USM Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO 100
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/200 sec - f/9, Manual mode
Flash: Canon 580EX II
Image: NEF edited in Photoshop CS4, levels adjusted, sharpening added saved as JPEG and resized. 

2. Camera: Canon EOS 7D
Lens: Canon EF 180mmf/3.5L USM Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO 100
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/200 sec - f/14, Manual mode
Flash: Canon 580EX II
Image: NEF edited in Photoshop CS4, levels adjusted, sharpening added saved as JPEG and resized.

3. Camera: Canon EOS 7D
Lens: Canon EF 180mmf/3.5L USM Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO 100
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/125 sec - f/11, Manual mode
Flash: Canon 580EX II
Image: NEF edited in Photoshop CS4, levels adjusted, sharpening added saved as JPEG and resized.

4. Camera: Canon EOS 7D
Lens: Canon EF 180mmf/3.5L USM Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO 100
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/80 sec - f/11, Manual mode
Flash: Canon 580EX II
Image: NEF edited in Photoshop CS4, levels adjusted, sharpening added saved as JPEG and resized.

 

 

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