Waiting for Marigold Pollinators

I took these photos in my garden one afternoon. I love to take macro photos there. The wild marigolds were starting to bloom, which of course entices pollinators to come. But that afternoon was quieter than usual. I didn't see any nectar seekers. Instead, I found some spiders. It was better than nothing.

The crab spider (Thomisus sp.) was crawling on the crown of the marigold. The spider had a pale green, almost transparent body, characteristic of a female.

She was probably also waiting for the nectar seekers to come by. But make no mistake, she didn't see them as customers; the pollinators were her potential prey. I don't know how long she had been waiting. She had to be patient.

The crab spider wasn't the only one hunting there. There was a black-and-white spiny spider (Gasteracantha kuhli) also seeking its fortune. It came down with its silk web and stopped on the marigold.

I love that shell! The pattern resembles traditional Javanese batik cloth. Except for its prominent dark jaws, I couldn't tell where its eyes were.