well what I know about blogging just might be dangerous and blogging in my second language just might cause a few Hilarius errors but here goes. What I want to post is everything about my favorite little critters. Some might not like them but once you understand them you might be surprised how interesting they can be.
My first blog will be
Wandering spider or Rain spider ( Sparassidae Palystes Natalius)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rain_spider
They grow up to a leg span of 90mm and can eat small lizards (I have seen this as I had one as a pet long ago). But for their fearsome look they are not poisonous and If they should bite it would be like a bee sting.
If scared they will let you know by lifting their front feet up and showing their fangs. (see above). Knowing this I wasnt scared to stick my Pentax right in his face...hehe. Coming to SA you will see them a lot during summer, sometimes not where you want to see them....aka bedrooms.
They are really fast moving and have 2 book lungs. They have unique yellow stripes under their legs so is easy to recognize.
At one stage they were thought to be very poisonous as Ginni pigs that was bitten by the spider died within 3 minutes. but it was later found that they died of shock. Can you blame them...hehe
size of spider #1
size of spider #2
PS All photos is taken with my Pentax and I must say I am a proud Pentaxian. I have a Pentax K100D and K20D, I have also had a K10D but sold that some time ago. Most of my macro is taken with a 105mm Sigma macro lens.
I also have a pentax 360 flash that I use with a off camera cable to get some light on the critters. For the "head shots" I have a set of three extension tubes. Maybe from time to time I will post some pictures of SA as well and some wildlife taken with my FA* 28-70 F2.8 and FA* 300 F2.8 respectively.
I must add I am not a expert in all field so if anyone wants to add something please feel free to do so.
Cheers for now
(All Photos are copyright Johan Kruger, please ask before using and please give credit where due)
JK
