Have We Met Before? by myautofocuslife

Have We Met Before?

Welcome to Jumping Spiders Week! 8D

This little guy looked really familiar. When I got home, I checked, and realized he's probably the same species as this other guy: http://365project.org/myautofocuslife/365/2012-07-07 but with more green on his head. ;D

But there the similarity ends. Because this one was the most curious, most courageous of all the jumping spiders I have met so far. Once he realized I was shooting him, he kept coming forward! So much so that I found myself moving backwards! XD

When he reached the end of the tip of the leaf (the same leaf you see in this shot), he jumped.

Good thing he was tiny, only 5mm (0.19in), and good thing I happen to adore jumping spiders. I turned my camera around, found him walking around the rim of the lens, and blew at him. He jumped off as I'd hoped but, as jumping spiders do, he'd let out a dragline so he was dangling from my lens on a single strand of spider silk. XD

Had to swing my arm a little hard to get him off. 8D

View him large. You might be able to see my camera lens reflected in his eyes.

PS. Jumping spiders are not web-spinning spiders. They are tiny and cute! I recommend watching this video, it's a great introduction to jumpers.

http://www.rkwalton.com/salticids/Jumping_Spiders_Introduction_A.php

Beautiful!!
September 9th, 2012  
He's gorgeous. The first thing that sprang to mind was that it looks like he's got a broccoli hair style!
September 9th, 2012  
Jo
so awesome! Hmmm .... might have to go spider hunting soon!
September 9th, 2012  
Jen
great capture, what a character..
September 9th, 2012  
I think you might have made friends with him!
September 9th, 2012  
Awesome creature! Love the focus on his head. This image looks like a real portrait. So he was brave enough to jump on your lens - good that you rescued him :-). (And I love how Sally described his hair style (@salza).)
September 9th, 2012  
Nice ECU! Well composed!
September 9th, 2012  
What a great little feller and friendly too. I can see the camera lens in his eyes, fantastic.
September 9th, 2012  
Looks like its head is made of jewels and its legs are golden - love these spiders!
September 9th, 2012  
Sounds like a very brave spider! Nice shot.
September 9th, 2012  
I think you made a friend! I just can't believe the incredible detail in that tiny face. Good one!
September 9th, 2012  
Argh! I have one that continues to make a web where I get my garden water. Great detail~
September 9th, 2012  
Eeeek! I don't think I can view him large! (Yes, the arachnophobic in me is screaming here...) But with a quick glance, he's big enough for me as it is. I could not do photos like this. I would've broken my camera, as I would've dropped it when he jumped! :D
September 9th, 2012  
@httpgeffed Jumping spiders don't make webs to catch their prey, so if your spider is making a web, it isn't a jumping spider. XD I'm afraid of web-spinning spiders. I find them scary. But I like jumping spiders because they are tinier and cuter! 8D
September 9th, 2012  
@joa Jumping spiders are harmless, really! They're not like web-spinning spiders at all. They're tiny, with shorter legs and big eyes (which makes them cute)! And they're much more colorful. I don't like web-spinning spiders. I find them scary and I don't want to take photos of them. But jumping spiders I don't mind at all. They're too tiny to threaten, and they're cute and entertaining to watch. 8)
September 9th, 2012  
every other week is jumping spider week for you, livia. i found one the other day and before i could think of shooting it, i flicked it. then i couldn't find him anymore. oh well, i wasn't going to shoot him, really.
September 9th, 2012  
Beautiful close-up of this brazen little guy.
September 9th, 2012  
ok, he IS cute.
and you were patient to take his photo.
just don't fall ( as I have many times) taking a photo and walking.
good good photo.
September 9th, 2012  
Love it ! I so enjoy your spider shots. Amazing detail!
September 9th, 2012  
Seriously, how do you get such detail? It is amazing.
September 9th, 2012  
Its head looks like a jewel and your focus and composition is flawless. Fantastic capture - Fav
September 9th, 2012  
eva
Beautiful details.
September 9th, 2012  
Love the focus on his face.
September 9th, 2012  
Hurray for the little jumping spiders. I love your spidey shots xx
September 9th, 2012  
Awesome!!!
September 9th, 2012  
Hurray , a whole week you`ve promise I`ll keep you on that. A week of beautiful pic of spiders
September 9th, 2012  
Love this one!
September 9th, 2012  
I've missed your incredible macros!
September 9th, 2012  
Damn, your focus is perfect... Crystal clear shot
September 9th, 2012  
another fantastic shot, brava
September 9th, 2012  
Nice, he looks like he is ready to jump :)
September 9th, 2012  
Great Macro Livia
September 9th, 2012  
Wow! This is quite incredible! Such an obliging spider too!
September 9th, 2012  
Wonderful dof and macro!
September 9th, 2012  
I think he was just waiting for you to come along Livia. lol
September 9th, 2012  
Great shot! Those big eyes of his make the picture fun.
September 9th, 2012  
Spectacular! I can't wait for more!!!
September 9th, 2012  
Looks ready to jump out and bite the lens!! Great one
September 10th, 2012  
A real sweetie; great macro and love the story and detail.
September 10th, 2012  
Love the way you framed it, it's a quite interesting spider with all her eyes !!
September 10th, 2012  
another stunning capture!
September 10th, 2012  
Perfect focus on his eyes! Stunning shot!
September 10th, 2012  
Such a great face!
September 10th, 2012  
YAY!! The jumpers are back!!! Love these guys (except if, like, they are actually jumping on me...)
September 10th, 2012  
Nice find, although we have many types of spiders here in the desert, have not seen this one yet
September 10th, 2012  
You are the best at these shots....terrific.
September 10th, 2012  
I love his green head - looks like jewels
September 10th, 2012  
There eyes are like buttons! what an adventure you had together!
September 10th, 2012  
I am so excited for this week...and not just because I am on holidays. I love your jumping spiders! This one is adorable.
September 10th, 2012  
Amazing!!!
September 10th, 2012  
What a daring little bugger! Launching to your camera! He's a great looking little guy - kind of excited it's jumping spider week :) :)
September 10th, 2012  
I always enjoy your jumping spider shots...looking forward to a week of them!
September 10th, 2012  
Yeah! I love your cute jumping spiders! Looking forward to the series!
September 10th, 2012  
I love the spider shots you take!
September 10th, 2012  
I don't know if it's the lens reflection or not but it sure looks like it. Awesome shot.
September 10th, 2012  
so cool Livia! even if he is a reapeat jumper they are all amazing shots! Love it!
September 10th, 2012  
cool shot!
September 10th, 2012  
love the negative space and focus!
September 10th, 2012  
Great macro Livia!
September 10th, 2012  
Amazing macro Livia, love the composition too!
September 10th, 2012  
Wonderful detail !!
September 10th, 2012  
Your macro spiders are amazing....this one is gorgeous! Love the colours, the detail and the story!
September 10th, 2012  
Another fantastic spider shot! I'm waiting for you to get a capture of one mid-jump! :)
September 10th, 2012  
@alia_801 Impossible! XD Though I have had identical shots, one with the spider in it and one with the spider gone. They are that fast. (And it doesn't help that I'm embarrassingly slow. ) 8D
September 10th, 2012  
Rob
These little guys are so interesting! Beautifully captured!
September 10th, 2012  
Great capture. Sounds like he heard about Jumping Spider week, and wanted to show off a little. Can't wait to see what you get next. Love these captures.
September 10th, 2012  
Great macro shot, Livia. His eyes look like a pair of goggles.
September 10th, 2012  
Awesome macro, he is adorable!
September 10th, 2012  
They look scary but yet cute at the same time!
September 10th, 2012  
Very cool shot Livia. Love the vibrant colours, and as always great detail.
September 10th, 2012  
Going to jump through screen
September 10th, 2012  
i tried some more insect macro this weekend. failed again
this is an awesome shot
September 10th, 2012  
Ian
Brilliant focus
September 10th, 2012  
Great shot as always Livia, i might have had a little melt down if he'd jumped at me though LOL....it was bound to happen eventually =)
September 10th, 2012  
Cute title, it made me laugh. Goes perfectly with this little guy. Nice capture and I'm glad you are not afraid of spiders. I do not like jumping spiders, or any kinds, for that matter.
September 10th, 2012  
Good to see these fellas back Livia. I would love to see them for real. Lovely shot too, and your narrative always entertains me.
September 10th, 2012  
Fabulous composition and shot! Beautiful!
September 10th, 2012  
Amazing photo. You're a brave lady just like he's a brave spider. I don't little he is, I would be coming so near. I love his eyes but I'd rather look at the photo and not in person.
September 10th, 2012  
he is kinda cute in a spidery way! It's a great shot!
September 10th, 2012  
Yur jumping spiders look cute... So different from the spiders here.
September 10th, 2012  
His is cute. Excellent shot, Livia.
September 10th, 2012  
Beautiful focus and light!
September 10th, 2012  
I don't like spiders but he is so cute!
September 10th, 2012  
Fabulous macro - perfect dof - and such a cool little guy!
September 10th, 2012  
Amazing that you get these shots after watching that video. The comparison shot of one sitting on a penny puts it into perspective just how small they are and then to see how fast they jump....I don't know how you do it!
September 10th, 2012  
I don't like spiders...but I love watching your photos of spiders. Such stunning details and vibrant colors! We have jumping spiders here too...don't know the exact name, but they are grey...and I think they had stripes, it's been a long time since I last saw one :)
September 10th, 2012  
It was going to happen one day, that one of them jumped at you. I have visions of him moving forward and you backwards:0)
September 10th, 2012  
I hope I see one of these someday. They are so cute - this one looks like a begging puppy.
September 10th, 2012  
Excellent macro and great composition.
September 10th, 2012  
EEEEK scary guy but amazing macro
September 11th, 2012  
He has green " hair!" haha I laughed so hard picturing him in your lens. He was feisty! Fav
September 11th, 2012  
A great, big, familiar, bold and bright-eyed, sort-of-deja-vu-ish "THANK YOU!" to everyone for stopping by!

I think I'm getting used to getting jumped on. Happened again today. But I don't mind, because these guys are sooo cute. (You must be really tired of hearing me say that! XD )

Thank you so much for your generous support and kind words. I am grateful. 70 more days to go!
September 11th, 2012  
Pam
I love the story! I am completely amazed at your jumping spider shots!
September 11th, 2012  
I can totally understand your fascination, they are so cute! Great photo!
September 12th, 2012  
man your spider shots are unreal!!!!! i have not seen this guy before either!! way to go on finding all these different lil guys!
September 12th, 2012  
I just love the eyes! Fantastic shot! :0)
September 12th, 2012  
Cool shot and great composition.
September 16th, 2012  
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