Sunday, November 27, 2011

Creepy Beauty

Click on the pic to enlarge
What is it?
See the little heart shape?

Did you guess right?

I am arachnophobic, but this spider had such beautiful markings, I had to photograph it!
It wasn't that big, the body was about 3/4 of an inch, and it's not poisonous.
PS. It's a Cross Spider (Araneus diadematus), common in Europe and North America. The basic colour varies between different species, from light yellow to brown/red to dark/grey. The thing they all have in common is their cross-symbol located at their back. The cross is actually formed by white dots which are closely attached and shaped into this perfect cross. (thanks for identifying it squirrel)

See more great Macro shots from around the world HERE at Lisa's Chaos
Take a look at critters from around the world HERE at CAMERA CRITTERS
See other found hearts from around the world HERE at Clyties blog, Random Hearts

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35 comments:

  1. TexWisGirlNovember 27, 2011 at 1:48 PM

    neat, neat, neat shots!

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  2. UnknownNovember 27, 2011 at 1:54 PM

    Beautiful spider and shots , Marit.

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  3. sigaNovember 27, 2011 at 2:16 PM

    Cool! I guessed right ;) I love creepy ones, they are most beautiful creatures very often, with a lot of color and bright personality.

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  4. Byond ZephyrNovember 27, 2011 at 2:26 PM

    The markings are really beautiful indeed, and the details are amazing.

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  5. FilipBlogNovember 27, 2011 at 2:43 PM

    When I saw the first picture, I thought about an insect and I was right.

    Greetings,
    Filip

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  6. EllieNovember 27, 2011 at 3:01 PM

    Who would have thought a spider would look so good. I think it must be the spider's legs that I don't like.
    Great picture by the way.

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  7. magiceyeNovember 27, 2011 at 7:50 PM

    wow an amazing capture!

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  8. DebbieNovember 27, 2011 at 8:22 PM

    you are braver then i....

    it is a good heart, you should share it with clytie at random hearts!!

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  9. EG CameraGirlNovember 27, 2011 at 8:38 PM

    Nope, I did NOT guess what it was. Nice post!

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  10. LindaNovember 27, 2011 at 10:34 PM

    Just Wonderful!!!

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  11. Stewart MNovember 28, 2011 at 4:23 AM

    Hi there - what a splendid beast. Once I can manage to uncurl my toes I find spiders fascinating - but a longish macro lens helps as well!

    Did you know that by taking the spearmint leaves from the sweet jar you mark yourself out as a bit unusual! Used to do a "natural selection" game in class with my students where a jar of mixed sweets was passed around - and the ones left at the end were always that spearmint leaves!

    Cheers - Stewart M - Australia

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  12. Nature RamblesNovember 28, 2011 at 4:44 AM

    Terrific close shot! That's a ferocious-looking spider!

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  13. JamaNovember 28, 2011 at 6:17 AM

    Wow, such a great macro!

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  14. AnonymousNovember 28, 2011 at 6:18 AM

    That's pretty cool - it looks like a cross

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  15. DianneNovember 28, 2011 at 9:02 AM

    wow!!
    great job, especially if they make you anxious
    I love spiders and this guy is so handsome

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  16. John @ Beans and I on the LooseNovember 28, 2011 at 10:15 AM

    3/4 of an inch long and such a close-up. You must have one good macro lens. Or did you use your Canon 210? I have the same point and click camera which takes such nice pictures one cannot tell the difference from those done with my Nikon DSLR. Very nice photos of such a beautiful spider.

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  17. Lea's menagerieNovember 28, 2011 at 11:24 AM

    Really great photo!
    I thought it was a spider - that bit of hairy leg in the bottom left corner was a clue.
    Lea

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  18. LindyLouMacNovember 28, 2011 at 12:14 PM

    What an ugly chap! I am playing catch up after completing our olive harvest and setting up my own photography blog so I have not been around much. It has been lovely to scroll through your delightful posts this evening.

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  19. Martha ZNovember 28, 2011 at 12:30 PM

    Spiders do come in great variety, you found an interesting one.

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  20. UnknownNovember 28, 2011 at 1:25 PM

    creepy but great macro shot!

    cheers,
    My Third Eye

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  21. Karen @ Pieces of ContentmentNovember 28, 2011 at 2:49 PM

    An unusual and beautiful spider. The little bit of leg in the first helped me guess.

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  22. squirrelNovember 28, 2011 at 3:49 PM

    Hi, it looks like Cross-spider (Araneus diadematus). Way cool!.

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  23. GattinaNovember 28, 2011 at 3:57 PM

    Yikes ! I just wanted to go to bed, now I will have nightmares !

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  24. LauraNovember 28, 2011 at 4:58 PM

    great photo Karen...I'm glad it is not as big as it looks in macro thought!!!

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  25. LeoviNovember 28, 2011 at 5:17 PM

    Nice macro shot, yes, a beautiful spider.

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  26. Kim, USANovember 28, 2011 at 7:48 PM

    EEkkkkkkkkkkkk!!!

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  27. IdaNovember 28, 2011 at 10:37 PM

    Oh my that is a pretty weird looking spider but also fascinating. This is my favorite way to see one.

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  28. KalaNovember 28, 2011 at 11:40 PM

    You captured some great details of the spider!

    Happy MM

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  29. online parenting classNovember 29, 2011 at 3:28 AM

    that is really cool!

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  30. KelNovember 29, 2011 at 3:44 AM

    how brave of you - to take the shot and then scare us all silly with it!

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  31. RoanNovember 29, 2011 at 8:16 AM

    I'm not a fan of spiders either, but do think some are beautiful and they do weave beautiful webs.

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  32. CanadianGardenJoyNovember 30, 2011 at 7:53 AM

    That is an amazing shot Karen ! I don't know if I have seen these spiders (maybe if I had my glasses on instead of gasping and avoiding the area and visitor ? LOL
    That is spectacular seeing the markings and that tiny heart ! WOW
    Joy : )

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  33. DaniDecember 1, 2011 at 12:39 PM

    Really cool heart find~

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  34. LesaDecember 1, 2011 at 1:18 PM

    Great shot but creepy! I haven't seen that spider before. Thanks for the visit!

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  35. ClytieDecember 1, 2011 at 1:36 PM

    Ooooooh, what a WONDERFUL place to find a heart!!!

    We have "cross spiders" here (we call them common garden spiders, but I like cross spiders better!), and I have photographed a few of the "crosses" - but never once found a heart!

    This is a FANTASTIC post - thank you so much!!!

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