Those spiders do not seize to amaze me. Their ability to camouflage is stunning, and it often happens they have different colours depending on the place they hunt. If you are curious, go google them and you will see some in pink, green, or intense yellow colours. Stunning creatures and deadly hunters in one.
Misumena vatia
/Crab spider/
/Crab spider/
They are called crab spiders because of their unique ability to walk sideways as well as forwards and backwards.
source
From a distance the spider is basically invisible. When he sits still among all the tiny white flowers, it blends so well that even the bees and flies can't see it. And that is the whole point! He does not build a web to catch the prey; he will wait still close to the center of the flower to jump and catch the insect. He is fast and has no mercy!
And I would not notice this one either. I was admiring the bush in full bloom when I spotted the fly. Nothing unusual here, as they feed on polent too. But why was it not moving??
After I got closer I saw the reason :p
This was a perfect opportunity for me to take the photos. When the spiders hunt, they tend to hide (besides that, they are already hard to spot) when I try to shoot them. Camera shy, I guess.
But with the big fly waiting to be eaten, the spider was so still and so focused on the meal that I could move the branch around to take a better look and shot. Of course he saw me. But running away from me was not a priority anymore.
Tiny beady eyes and hairy legs. Isn't he adorable? :)
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Shot with Nikon D5500 + Sigma 105mm lens
All photos and text are my own.
