Second Place - Chris Adams

Photograph: Crab Spider

Date taken: Aug, 12, 2003
Location: Portland, OR, USA
Equipment used: Nikon D70, Nikor 60mm F/2.8D

Comments:

Wow, I've never seen a spider like this, the coloring matches the flower perfectly! After researching this spider on the internet I found out it was a Crab Spider that changes colors to match it's surroundings.                      

The spider doesn't spin a web to catch it's pray as most spiders do. The spider will stay motionless for long periods of time waiting for prey to fly within it's reach. When the prey is in reach it will reach out with it's front feet and grab it. When caught, a bite from the spider paralyzes the prey, which is then eaten.