The spider's spin-off

THE spider in the picture above spins its web in low shrubs and grass in moist environments close to rivers or streams, or beside pools and waterfalls. It belongs to the family of Big-jawed Spiders (Tetragnathidae). If I am not mistaken, it is a species of Leucauge.

It is a common species and very often one finds several webs in a well-shaded spot under some trees. Photographing this species presents a few minor problems but is not too difficult. I got a series of shots of the specimen above after having initially frightened it away.

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 inadvertently made the web shake and frightened the spider away. 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’s webs rarely show up well in photos taken with flash. I had a secondary flash for side-lighting and that “brought out” some strands of the web.

I submitted one shot from this series to a photo contest organised by the Malaysian Nature Society in conjunction with World Environment Day in 1999. It won the top prize... which was quite a surprise. I had entered it merely to make up the maximum of five entries allowed and had expected two other photos to win instead, and even then perhaps one of the lesser prizes rather than the “grand” prize.

The entire family was happy. 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 involvement 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 picture has given me.

In this website, I have reproduced articles that I have written for the Malaysian Naturalist, a quarterly magazine published by the Malaysian Nature Society. You will find them in Folder 1 (at top). Please click on Folder 1 for a list of the articles.

The other folders contain articles that I have written for other publications. Like the articles in Folder 1, they are also illustrated with many photos taken over a period of about 20 years as a hobby. I hope you enjoy your visit here.

The spider’s spin-off