I have written a while ago about spider webs which would actually reflect ultraviolet (UV) light, so as to attract prey (insects like bees etc).
Now it just happened that National Geographic Learning (Cengage) asked me for permission to use my works for their teaching materials.
These were shot in reflected UV and visible light. Lens used was my UV-Nikkor 105mm, for reflected ultraviolet light I used my "work horse" UV filter, the Baader-U filter. Light source was available light and a UV LED light with Nichia UV LED emitting at 365nm.
[click on image yields a larger one]
Spider web in visible light (hardly visible at all) with some prey:
and now the proof that the web actually reflects UV light strongly:
Here two diptychs showing this side-a-side (visible light is left, reflected UV on the right):
Detail of the above:
Quite amazing what happens in nature, if you take a closer look...also in wavelengths that we humans cannot see, but animals and insects can!
I have previously written about that HERE
Stay tuned, more will follow on that fascinating subject...
More info on this very interesting field may be found on my site http://www.pbase.com/kds315/uv_photos
