The next “chapter” in the photographic life of our garden spider involves him capturing and eating prey. This photo was taken today in the late afternoon during a rain storm. The web hung from the front overhang and was kept dry (as was I).
While I was photographing the underside of said spider, I noticed that a small insect had been just caught in the web. You can see it in the upper left of the image. While I was watching, the spider reeled in the catch by pulling on the web much the same way a fisherman might reel in a fish.
Within 10 seconds, the spider sprung the trap and when it was near enough, pounced on the prey with lightening speed. My photo of the event was extremely blurred by the sudden action.
In the second shot here the spider has just made its move and you can just make out the insect within grasp (also upper left just at the tip of the middle leg). Another photo (not here) has the spider with the captured insect at his mouth.
Images taken with the Canon 40D and Canon 2.8 Macro+off camera fill flash. I will be posting other photos of this spider in the macro gallery (see link on the right side of this page).