A spider on a spiderwort
In a comment about yesterday’s photograph of a katydid nymph on a spiderwort (Tradescantia spp.), Cindy Dyer wrote: “I actually photographed [a spider] on a spiderwort a few years ago. Now that was serendipitous!” Let me add that another piece of good luck, and a well deserved one, came Cindy’s way when four of her photographs of water lilies were chosen to appear on U.S. postage stamps. Those stamps went on sale last month:
https://cindydyer.wordpress.com/2015/03/26/water-lily-stamps-debut-in-ohio-on-march-20/
Cindy’s comment about a spider on a spiderwort got me to wondering whether I’d ever had that serendipity as well, so I searched my archive and discovered that I had. It was on March 27, 2007, at McKinney Falls State Park, and the picture you see here is one of four that I managed to get of the spider. Notice also the subtle, fingerprint-like ridges in the petals of the flower.
Now if in addition to a spider on a spiderwort I could bring you a photograph of a damsel on a damselfly, I’d really have something.
© 2015 Steven Schwartzman
Portraits of Wildflowers 
I’ve seen a few different insects on spiderworts, but never a spider. Lucky you.
Now I’m off to check out Cindy’s blog.
Steve Gingold
April 6, 2015 at 5:25 AM
No doubt by now you’ve found out she’s an excellent photographer.
I was lucky with the spider on a spiderwort but I’m still waiting for the damsel on a damselfly.
Steve Schwartzman
April 6, 2015 at 8:04 AM
I think for that damsel on a damselfly, you’ll have to use Photoshop in a whole new way and make it happen yourself 🙂
Nancy
dogear6
April 6, 2015 at 2:58 PM
That sounds like a lot of work. I think it would be easier to photograph a damselfly on a damsel; no Photoshop tricks are required for that, just a cooperative damsel and damselfly.
Steve Schwartzman
April 6, 2015 at 4:58 PM
I think I have one of those on film (not digitally)!
dogear6
April 7, 2015 at 11:05 AM
Have you posted it on your blog?
Steve Schwartzman
April 7, 2015 at 9:19 PM
It’s not one that I scanned. It happened years ago when we were in the UP (Michigan’s Upper Peninsula). I was trying to write in my journal and two of them landed on my hand. I thought my husband snapped a picture of it, but I’d have to dig them out to be sure. I know he got me at Lake in the Clouds, also writing in my journal 🙂
I posted about the day, but the picture was from the walk itself.
http://livingtheseasons.com/2011/04/10/beyond-the-next-curve/
dogear6
April 9, 2015 at 1:19 PM
If you ever find a picture of those damselflies on your hand, it would make for a good post. In the meantime, it lives on for you in memory.
Steve Schwartzman
April 9, 2015 at 1:28 PM
Superb!
Klarinet
April 6, 2015 at 6:24 AM
I’m pleased that it pleased you.
Steve Schwartzman
April 6, 2015 at 8:05 AM
I love this! And the color is spectacular!
Dianne
April 6, 2015 at 7:47 AM
Yes, purple is a rich color. Yesterday I looked through a window on one side of my house at the little cluster of spiderwort plants growing there and counted about two dozen flowers.
Steve Schwartzman
April 6, 2015 at 8:09 AM
wow !! special !
gwenniesgarden
April 6, 2015 at 8:11 AM
It was special, and if I can play etymologist I’ll add that the word special originally meant ‘having to do with a certain species, i.e. with a certain kind of thing.’
Steve Schwartzman
April 6, 2015 at 9:15 AM
Congrats to Cindy! That is quite an achievement.
chrispavesic
April 6, 2015 at 2:45 PM
It is indeed. You’re welcome to leave a message on her blog if you’re so inclined.
Steve Schwartzman
April 6, 2015 at 3:48 PM
Great find. Love the way the spider is coming into the image.
Raewyn's Photos
April 6, 2015 at 3:29 PM
You’ve reminded me of the poem by Mary Howitt that begins:
“Will you walk into my parlor?”
Said the Spider to the Fly;
In this case the spider came into my photo parlor.
Steve Schwartzman
April 6, 2015 at 4:47 PM
Superb!
photoleaper
April 6, 2015 at 9:01 PM
Thanks, Kathy.
Steve Schwartzman
April 6, 2015 at 9:04 PM
Wonderful! And I’ll be watching for future entries to the damsel fly contest 😉
Birder's Journey
April 7, 2015 at 6:04 AM
I’m afraid you may have a long wait to see a damsel on a damselfly.
Steve Schwartzman
April 7, 2015 at 7:37 AM
Reblogged this on Effervescent Francois! and commented:
yes!
effervescentfrancois
April 7, 2015 at 11:35 PM
Amazing – great photo – again!
Truels
April 9, 2015 at 3:48 PM
A viewer’s comment caused me to go back into my archive and resurrect this photograph from eight years ago that I’d forgotten about.
Steve Schwartzman
April 9, 2015 at 4:02 PM
I love the idea of a damsel on a damselfly, and you’ve already taken a good poke at pokeweed…this opens up new worlds of possibility!
krikitarts
April 9, 2015 at 11:47 PM
Good of you to remember the poke at pokeweed. In New Zealand I saw a bellbird but never a bell on one, although we can imagine the possibility.
Steve Schwartzman
April 10, 2015 at 3:11 AM