Don't bite more than you can chew

Posted by rajandesai on Thu Jul 08, 2021 10:36 pm

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Have you seen a beach wolf spider attack a piping plover?
I was lying down on the beach watching and photographing this young piping plover rung around, explore the beach and forage for food. This bird accidentally poked a wolf spider. The wolf spiders are typically not aggressive until they are provoked. The spider immediately attacked the innocent plover. The spider jumped straight on the plover's head. The plover chick successfully shook off the spider the first time, but then the spider launched another attack at the shocked bird. I have never seen anything like this before. What a fantastic experience. #natureisbeautiful

Sony A1 in Crop mode | 600mm + 1.4x | 25% crop
ISO 400 | 1/1600s | f/5.6

Rajan Desai
Rajan Desai Photography
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by david fletcher on Fri Jul 09, 2021 1:03 am

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Excellent low view on this Rajan. Amazing sighting and thanks for sharing the story of the events that unfolded.

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by gregc on Fri Jul 09, 2021 5:40 am

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Super image of something most of us will never see. Composition is really nice.

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by Axel Hildebrandt on Fri Jul 09, 2021 7:48 am

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Great low angle and very interesting story. I guess the Plover learned its lesson.

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by Scott Fairbairn on Fri Jul 09, 2021 8:39 am

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That is really cool! Great angle and attack. Do you others in the series? I'd be interested to see them.

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by rajandesai on Fri Jul 09, 2021 8:43 am

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Scott Fairbairn wrote:That is really cool! Great angle and attack. Do you others in the series? I'd be interested to see them.

Yeah, feel privileged to have witness this scene unfold in front of me.
I do have a whole sequence of 3 attacks that this spider launched.
Will post some more later. Thank you for your kind words.

Rajan Desai
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by ADKShooter on Fri Jul 09, 2021 9:01 am

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Really great timing on this shot. Must have been very interesting to witness it live. You'll have to remind me not to come and lay down on your beach, lol ! Very well done and seen on your part.

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by Carol Clarke on Fri Jul 09, 2021 9:17 am

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Amazing story and image, Rajan! Beautifully done.

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by Karl Egressy on Fri Jul 09, 2021 1:34 pm

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Wow, this is an amazing image.

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by peter makuch on Fri Jul 09, 2021 4:43 pm

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the framing is well done and the low angle shot makes this image, especially with the earth tone colors with-in this frame.

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by Cynthia Crawford on Sun Jul 11, 2021 4:54 am

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Wow- what a shot and what a story! I hope the spider didn't do any real damage!!

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by rajandesai on Sun Jul 11, 2021 11:24 am

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Cynthia Crawford wrote:Wow- what a shot and what a story! I hope the spider didn't do any real damage!!

No. This spider may cause a little discomfort in humans and pets but is not expected to affect birds.
The spider was relentless in defending itself. The spider launched a couple of attacks on the bird but in the end, the plover shook it off and ran for the cover. The plover was shaken up but looked fine.

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