THIS SPIDER SPECIES (see photo above) builds its web among low shrubs or grass in moist locations
close to rivers, streams or waterfalls. It is the Decorative Leucauge (Leucauge decorata) of the
family of Big-jawed Spiders (Tetragnathidae).
It is a common forest species and quite often one can find several webs in a
well-shaded spot under some trees. Photographing this species presented a few
problems which were not too difficult to overcome. I got a series of shots of this specimen
after having initially frightened it away from its web.
Because its web was strung very low, I had to get down really low to
find a good composition. As I crouched to get a good angle, I accidentally
shook the web and spooked the spider. I waited until it had made its way back
to its web and tried again. Because it was in the shade, I had to use flash.
Spider webs rarely show up well in photos taken with flash. So I used
a secondary flash for side-lighting to "bring out" some strands of the web.
I submitted one shot from this series to a photo contest organised
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by the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) in
conjunction with World Environment Day in 1999. It
won the top prize... which was quite a surprise to me. I had entered it merely to make up the maximum
of five entries allowed for the contest.
My family was happy to hear this news. It was my first big win in a photo
contest after many, many, many years of photographing nature. There was
"some write-up" on the winners in the local papers following the prize presentation. And
friends in the Malaysian Nature Society celebrated with me.
It was in this mood that I thought about settng up a website not only to
commemorate this occasion but also to let others know about my links with nature and the
Malaysian Nature Society. Yes, this website has been inspired by a spider... a spin-off from
this one success that its photo has given me.
In this website, I have reproduced my articles written
for the Malaysian Naturalist, a quarterly magazine published by the MNS. You will find them
in Folder 1 (on the left navigation bar). I have also
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Juvenile Argiope spider ... a similar photo received "Honourable Mention".
"archived" my articles that were published in other publications in Folders 2 to 7.
All these articles are illustrated with photos that I have taken over a period of about 20 years as
a hobby. ~ Chin Fah Shin
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