280 - Spider-in-a-Seashell

From 365 Project

I know that I've really been creeping out some of my regular followers with close-up spider pictures. But I just had to do this one. This is the Spined Micrathena orb-weaver spider. I've noticed two in my yard this fall for the first time, although I understand they are very common in Virginia. The females build large elaborate webs in forested areas about five feet off the ground. So if you're in the woods and walk into a web, most likely its the work of a Spined Micrathena. Fortunately they are harmless to humans but I'm sure that's no comfort to the arachnophobic among you. Canon Rebel XTi, 1/100 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 800, 50mm compact macro lens and micro LED litepanel.

279 - Spooky

From 365 Project

Halloween is coming up fast, so we brought down the decorations and they inspired this picture idea. Those three sets of eye balls blink in random patterns so it took a few tries to catch all three lit up at once. Canon Rebel XTi, 1/60 sec @ f/5.6, 50mm prime lens.

278 - Fire Wheel

From 365 Project

This fire valve was made by Giacomini in Italy but is inscribed with the word "open" in English. I wonder if they make the wheels in different languages? Canon G10, 1/20 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 200.

277 - Candy Corn

From 365 Project

Candy Corn is a sign of the season at our house. Invented in the 1880's, American's buy about 20 million pounds of candy corn each year. Canon Rebel XTi, 1/250 sec @ f/20.0, ISO 100, 50mm compact macro lens. Two off-camera strobes, a micro Litepanel LED and a Light Shed were used in the setup.

276 - Happy Heron

From 365 Project

This Great Blue Heron was happily sunning himself while standing on a piling at the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry dock in Surry Virginia. He didn't move at all as the ferry pulled out while I took this closeup portrait shot. Canon 40D, 1/1600 sec @ f/9.0, ISO 400, 260mm focal length.

275 - Conch

From 365 Project

This small conch shell has been illuminated from below and the macro photo shows off the beautiful color, patterns and contrasts present in the shell. Canon G10, 1/10 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 400 in macro mode.

274 - Spare Tire

From 365 Project

There's not much to say about this one - it's just a spare tire. But it gave a me good reason to link to the Wikipedia - Spare Tire entry which is particularly fascinating. Who knew you could say so much about a spare tire and of course they include a link to the entry for "Love handles". Canon G10, 1/320 sec @ f/4.5, ISO 400, converted to black and white in Picasa.