I saw this Bird Eating Spider from the road I was driving on in North Carolina. I pulled off on the dirt road just above the spider so I would not risk getting run over. (Argiope aurantia, I looked it up)

 

I put on my long lens, Canon 70-200mm f2.8 L series, and approached this monster from the hill just above him. I zoomed in at 200mm to avoid getting too close as I am terribly afraid of spiders, especially one this big.

 

Looking through the lens this spider had me breaking out in a cold sweat! Just as I took the photo my right foot slipped out from under me and I slid headfirst towards the spider! I screamed like a little girl as I fell! I was able to catch myself just inches from putting my face in its web. This was followed by uproarious laughter from the road just below me as I noticed I had attracted a small group of onlookers trying to see what I was up to.

 

Normally I would encourage you to take risks, take photographs that challenge you and are outside your comfort zone. Don’t be afraid, UNLESS your subject is a GIANT spider, then be very afraid!!

 

Settings for the shot… ISO 320, f-stop 7.1, shutter 1/320 sec. And at 200mm.