Thank you Teresa! The strawberries only began to bloom in the last couple of days: I was surprised to see the spider at his station already, and color-matched as well!
Several years ago we had a yellow one who lived on our yellow tulips. We enjoyed watching him for several weeks, then he disappeared. This one has changed color already although the blossoms haven’t been out very long.
It does have venom, but it’s pretty weak, and the spider is not a threat to humans. It does not seem the least bit aggressive other than to other insects, and in fact it is quite shy.
That shot was taken on a little shelf above the river and there weren’t any other color blossoms around. It would be fascinating to see one change, but from what I’ve read, it takes them quite awhile to do it. I am unable to find the site that explained their change of color, but as best I can recall, they can change from color to white fairly quickly because to do that they just get rid of a pigment in their blood, but to change from white to, say, yellow may take several days because they have to produce the yellow pigment.
Stunning! I could not stop examining this photo. It is absolutely wonderful. Every time I think I’ve seen the best you outdo yourself. You are a marvelous photographer. As good as they get.
Thank you Bill! I’m glad you enjoy the photos. I am a very lucky man because I am able to live where I can get into the wild country easily and have a camera that will enable me to bring back photos of the beauty there for other folks to see!
(Of course they aren’t really insects, but arachnids with 8 legs and 2 body segments.)
While I hardly flinch at swatting a fly, I will scoop a housebound spider up and let it go outside rather than kill it. They are so beneficial.
That scene immediately made me think of that old poem. Yes, the strawberry blossoms are very pretty. Our wildflowers are rapidly starting to bloom now.
I have just been taking a look at all that I’ve missed over the last while, and your photos are incredible. A feast for the eyes. I love these little crab spiders, and this is a beautiful shot.
Welcome to my parlor…:-)
I first saw this white spider last May when traveling in Washington state. I was amazed at it’s white color. The spiders around here dress in camouflage! I love that you photographed it going into a flower.
Most spiders are helpers, not hurters…yet they have such a bad reputation. Wonder why? I’d rather have a visit from a spider than a big black biting fly anyday!
Oh my… what a marvelous macro image! I know how tiny these spiders are and have seen them occasionally in my flowers but have yet to get anything like this myself. Simply stunning for both the detail and the composition!
I started noticing the crab spiders only a few years ago. They are fascinating little creatures and quite harmless to humans. It’s surprising how many I see on wildflowers.
I think they eat more flies than bees, but I’m sure they will tackle a bee too. I saw one today that passed up some kind of big flying insect about 10 times its size.
Holy smoke! Your photo is terrific, but more interesting to me is to see that spider. Never seen or heard from it. According to Wikipedia than can change color from yellow to white.
Your post was a very good lesson of America’s nature. Thank You.
Those spiders are very common here, but they are usually overlooked because they are small and blend in with the flowers they choose to stay on. I love to see them1
Thank you Cheryl! I use a NIKON D80, and for close-ups I use an Af Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8D lens. I love wildflowers and this has become my favorite lens.
I discovered these little spiders only a few years ago and since, I’ve seen hundreds, usually on flowers, but on other plants as well. They seem to do extra well on flowers though.
How beautiful, the spider and the strawberry blossom. A very nice combination. Your photography is stunning, really.
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Comment by Teresa Evangeline — May 6, 2011 @ 2:28 pm
Thank you Teresa! The strawberries only began to bloom in the last couple of days: I was surprised to see the spider at his station already, and color-matched as well!
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Comment by montucky — May 6, 2011 @ 2:33 pm
I see crab spiders out around my garden. More often than not, yellow. Hard to believe how well he blends with the blossoms.
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Comment by sandy — May 6, 2011 @ 2:42 pm
Several years ago we had a yellow one who lived on our yellow tulips. We enjoyed watching him for several weeks, then he disappeared. This one has changed color already although the blossoms haven’t been out very long.
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Comment by montucky — May 6, 2011 @ 10:28 pm
This little spider is kind of cute! As long as it is not poisonous..
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Comment by mitambien — May 6, 2011 @ 3:19 pm
It does have venom, but it’s pretty weak, and the spider is not a threat to humans. It does not seem the least bit aggressive other than to other insects, and in fact it is quite shy.
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Comment by montucky — May 6, 2011 @ 10:30 pm
That is a pretty spider–and he does blend in well with the strawberry blossom.
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Comment by kateri — May 6, 2011 @ 6:03 pm
Yes, they do blend in with their host flowers. I’ve seen them yellow colored and on yellow flowers they are amazingly hard to see.
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Comment by montucky — May 6, 2011 @ 10:31 pm
Great peek at nature today. Tell me … were you tempted even a little bit to move the spider to a different colored flower to watch him change? ;0)
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Comment by bearyweather — May 7, 2011 @ 6:43 am
That shot was taken on a little shelf above the river and there weren’t any other color blossoms around. It would be fascinating to see one change, but from what I’ve read, it takes them quite awhile to do it. I am unable to find the site that explained their change of color, but as best I can recall, they can change from color to white fairly quickly because to do that they just get rid of a pigment in their blood, but to change from white to, say, yellow may take several days because they have to produce the yellow pigment.
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Comment by montucky — May 7, 2011 @ 8:51 am
That’s interesting about their color change. I don’t like spiders, though, even though I know they’re “good.” They’ve always just creeped me out.
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Comment by Candace — May 7, 2011 @ 8:55 am
I’ve found these to be very interesting, but then I do like spiders, except Black Widows, Brown Recluse and Daddy Long Legs.
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Comment by montucky — May 7, 2011 @ 9:48 am
Hi Montucky, What a cool picture of that spider and the Wild Strawberry plant! Well done! Have a nice day today!
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Comment by wildlifewatcher — May 7, 2011 @ 10:24 am
Thank you wildlifewatcher.
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Comment by montucky — May 7, 2011 @ 9:27 pm
Stunning! I could not stop examining this photo. It is absolutely wonderful. Every time I think I’ve seen the best you outdo yourself. You are a marvelous photographer. As good as they get.
Now to pick my jaw up off of the floor!
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Comment by Wild_Bill — May 7, 2011 @ 5:42 pm
Thank you Bill! I’m glad you enjoy the photos. I am a very lucky man because I am able to live where I can get into the wild country easily and have a camera that will enable me to bring back photos of the beauty there for other folks to see!
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Comment by montucky — May 7, 2011 @ 10:02 pm
Um…. like the blossoms….
spiders, not so much – though good capture!! ;o)
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Comment by Stacey Dawn — May 7, 2011 @ 7:46 pm
Stacey, most spiders are beneficial and quite shy. One just has to get used to them.
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Comment by montucky — May 7, 2011 @ 10:03 pm
I try not to get that close to spiders.
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Comment by knightofswords — May 7, 2011 @ 7:53 pm
Perhaps it’s because I’ve just gotten used to them, but I prefer spiders to most of the other insects.
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Comment by montucky — May 7, 2011 @ 10:07 pm
(Of course they aren’t really insects, but arachnids with 8 legs and 2 body segments.)
While I hardly flinch at swatting a fly, I will scoop a housebound spider up and let it go outside rather than kill it. They are so beneficial.
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Comment by Kim — May 23, 2011 @ 8:20 am
Oh my. It’s both wondrous and horrifying at the same time. Nicely caught.
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Comment by stuaato — May 7, 2011 @ 9:43 pm
Thank you Stuart! Thanks for visiting!
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Comment by montucky — May 7, 2011 @ 10:11 pm
Your title made me laugh! Such exquisitely beautiful wildflowers!!
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Comment by Marcie — May 8, 2011 @ 10:37 am
That scene immediately made me think of that old poem. Yes, the strawberry blossoms are very pretty. Our wildflowers are rapidly starting to bloom now.
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Comment by montucky — May 8, 2011 @ 9:58 pm
fun photo! I’d love to hang out in the strawberries too. only after the fruit is there…
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Comment by silken — May 8, 2011 @ 6:50 pm
The wild ones are very small, just larger than a pea, but very sweet.
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Comment by montucky — May 8, 2011 @ 9:58 pm
I have just been taking a look at all that I’ve missed over the last while, and your photos are incredible. A feast for the eyes. I love these little crab spiders, and this is a beautiful shot.
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Comment by farmhouse stories — May 8, 2011 @ 7:20 pm
Thanks Cait! Good to see you out and about again!
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Comment by montucky — May 8, 2011 @ 9:59 pm
Welcome to my parlor…:-)
I first saw this white spider last May when traveling in Washington state. I was amazed at it’s white color. The spiders around here dress in camouflage! I love that you photographed it going into a flower.
Most spiders are helpers, not hurters…yet they have such a bad reputation. Wonder why? I’d rather have a visit from a spider than a big black biting fly anyday!
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Comment by Bo Mackison — May 9, 2011 @ 7:56 am
I’ve considered most spiders to be friends too, and the ones that somehow make their way into the house are given safe passage back out.
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Comment by montucky — May 9, 2011 @ 9:17 am
Oh my… what a marvelous macro image! I know how tiny these spiders are and have seen them occasionally in my flowers but have yet to get anything like this myself. Simply stunning for both the detail and the composition!
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Comment by Victoria — May 9, 2011 @ 12:53 pm
The spider was pretty calm and so I was able to get very close. The crab spiders fascinate me!
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Comment by montucky — May 9, 2011 @ 8:17 pm
Nice shot and great detail Montucky! I was expecting the spider based on the title, but once again the result exceeded expectations.
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Comment by Daveabirding — May 9, 2011 @ 3:22 pm
Thanks Dave!
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Comment by montucky — May 9, 2011 @ 8:19 pm
Wow… it does look like a crab. If a spider can be “cute” I guess this one fits the bill. Great macro!!
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Comment by kcjewel — May 9, 2011 @ 5:03 pm
I started noticing the crab spiders only a few years ago. They are fascinating little creatures and quite harmless to humans. It’s surprising how many I see on wildflowers.
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Comment by montucky — May 9, 2011 @ 8:21 pm
Looks like a bad place for a bee to look for nectar. Excellent find, Terry.
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Comment by Scott Thomas Photography — May 10, 2011 @ 11:11 am
I think they eat more flies than bees, but I’m sure they will tackle a bee too. I saw one today that passed up some kind of big flying insect about 10 times its size.
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Comment by montucky — May 10, 2011 @ 6:50 pm
Holy smoke! Your photo is terrific, but more interesting to me is to see that spider. Never seen or heard from it. According to Wikipedia than can change color from yellow to white.
Your post was a very good lesson of America’s nature. Thank You.
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Comment by sartenada — May 12, 2011 @ 11:29 pm
Those spiders are very common here, but they are usually overlooked because they are small and blend in with the flowers they choose to stay on. I love to see them1
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Comment by montucky — May 13, 2011 @ 8:18 am
I am new to your site and love your pictures and the clarity. What sort of camera equipment do you use?
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Comment by cheryl trumble — May 14, 2011 @ 7:13 am
Thank you Cheryl! I use a NIKON D80, and for close-ups I use an Af Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8D lens. I love wildflowers and this has become my favorite lens.
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Comment by montucky — May 14, 2011 @ 8:29 am
An opportunist spider, waiting in flowers! And pretty wild strawberry flowers to match him (or her!) 🙂
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Comment by Val — May 23, 2011 @ 5:38 pm
I discovered these little spiders only a few years ago and since, I’ve seen hundreds, usually on flowers, but on other plants as well. They seem to do extra well on flowers though.
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Comment by montucky — May 23, 2011 @ 9:06 pm