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I went in search of some dragonflies yesterday, but no luck. However, I did spot this raft spider skimming across the water.
Dolmedes is a genus of large spiders of the family Pisauridae. They are also known as fishing spiders, raft spiders, dock spiders or wharf spiders. Almost all Dolomedes species are semi-aquatic, Many species have a striking pale stripe down each side of the body. Dolomedes spiders are covered all over in short, velvety hairs which are unwettable (hydrophobic). This allows them to use surface tension to stand or run on the water, like pond skaters. They can also climb beneath the water, and then air becomes trapped in the body hairs and forms a thin film over the whole surface of the body and legs, giving them the appearance of fine polished silver.
They hunt by waiting at the edge of a pool or stream, then when they detect the ripples from prey, they run across the surface to subdue it using their foremost legs, which are tipped with small claws; like other spiders they then inject venom with their hollow jaws to kill and digest the prey. They mainly eat insects, but some larger species are able to catch small fish. They can also climb beneath the water, when they become encased in a silvery film of air.
| Camera: | Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ7 |
| Recording media: | JPEG (digital) |
| Title: | walking on water! |
| Username: | 
CarolG |
| Uploaded: | 7 Mar 2013 - 6:05 AM |
| Tags: | Close-up, Close-up / macro, General, Macro, Nature, Sprider, Wildlife, Wildlife / nature |
| Votes: | 98 |
 | Variant - Tests |
Comments
Great photography and an informative write up as well. Excellent work Carol on both counts.
Andy
Incredible images.
The feet indentations on the water really awesome....
Superb shot Carol. Great write up too. Excellent stuff! 
Carol
A super write up and two excellent shots Carol
Helen
Beautiful captures Carol and very informative writing !
George
Here's me thinking I was the only one who could walk on water......................
Great capture, both versions are good but V1 just nicks it for me................
superb shots ilove how you can see the surface tention on the water made by the spiders legs !!
My ignorance of the insect world is matched only by my personal distaste of your subject today, Carol, but I have to admire both your knowledge and photographic skills: wonderful detail of this water skimming spider.......don't recall ever seeing an image such as this before.
Very well done.
Ronnie.
I have seen them walking on water, but never even thought of photographing them, so beautifully.
Wonderful macro images, well spotted & presented
Regards Brian
Excellent info and image, Carol.... but I thought Dolmedes was something to eat
Dave
Quote: Great work Carol, love the water tension
Stace
My thoughts too Carol,
Geoff.
The contact on the water is what I find amazing so well done in great detail.
John
V2 for me Carol and thanks for the fascinating info.
I wish I could do that! Just imagine how easy it would be crossing rivers and canals...especially the Grand canal in Venice! Two super shots, Carol, excellent work as always 
Trev
Super informative write-up about these spiders - always wondered how they walked on water so effortlessly. Nice shot Carol.
Anne
Sharp and well detailed, one of the best spiders on EPZ I have seen yet
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