Can you see the teeny weeny snack he's carrying in his jaws? Please view large for details. 8D
One of the best things about doing this project is the fact that I've come to love jumping spiders. When I first started, I thought all spiders were scary. But now I know better. Jumping spiders are super cute! They're different. They're big-eyed and curious, always on the go, always intrigued by you, when they see you looking at them.
If you have never met a jumping spider before, I hope you do, and I hope you take a little time to say hello. The ones I've seen and photographed are tiny, mostly 5-7mm, just like this one. If you blinked, you'd miss them.
Did you know that jumping spiders are not only harmless to people, they are beneficial to the environment because they keep the insect population in check?
A few tips on spotting jumping spiders.
Remember that they do not spin webs to catch prey. They are active day hunters, so you should be able to spot them in the morning, especially on sunny days, because they like to warm up in the sun. They do this on trees and plants, on walls and fences. It's harder to find them on cloudy, cold or rainy days.
Look out for telltale signs of their presence such as single strands of web strung between leaves. This is the dragline they leave behind when they jump. Look on the underside of leaves. Go to where their food sources are, where tiny insects are.
Keep a sharp eye out. Jumping spiders are tiny. Look at the nail on your little finger—they are even tinier than that!
I've had such an adventure on 365 with these guys. I remember exactly where I had taken a photo of one, I remember the excitement, I remember how much I enjoyed watching them. Now it's second nature for me to look out for jumpers wherever I think they may be around, even when I don't have my camera with me. Every encounter leaves an impression on my mind and a smile on my face. 8)
We don`t have jumping spiders so I`ve to do it with you wonderful pic.`s
and the very great explanations.
Change of seasons has also a bad side. We often have it on one day.
The biggest problem when we go out : What do I wear and do we need a raincoat and an umbrella?.
To show it I`ll do a pic. for you to day of our yesterday`s weather
He looks like he would be good value in the garden so that his snack is not snacking on our plants. I can't believe I am saying that a spider looks cute!
This is definitively sth else on large format! I think we should crown you the queen of jumpers, your commentary is as knowledgeable as it is hilarious - in the best sense of the word. I will definitively check under the leaves in my garden now you've explained the tell tales!
Fascinating insight into jumping spiders Livia, you have learnt so much, as have we all I think, as a result of this project! Incredible detail here, great focus!
Livia, I never tire of your shots, they are amazing. Are you seriously still not using a tripod? How do you capture them so clearly. I love that you have almost made this shot a tribute to the little fellows.
@dreams I still don't have a tripod and I don't want to use one! I don't think I will go out with my camera if I have to lug a tripod along. I just take lots of shots, knowing some will be blurry because my hands are not steady all the time. 8)
They are just so wonderful - I am so going to miss these guys.... Love that you have been able to bring this micro world to us all, and to show us so much beauty in the easily overlooked!
Awesome!!! Love the details you captured and all the wonderful information you shared. I don't think i have ever seen one in person. They sure are cute!!
I loved your narrative and I've come to appreciate spiders so much more since seeing them so up close and personal, thanks to you ;-) I need to go out looking for them. Thanks for the tips and another super shot!
Incredible capture Livia, I love your spider shots and wealth of knowledge you have gained through capturing them. You would make a good candidate for an article in Nat Geo !
Fav for sure!
FAV -- spider and his meal! man oh man. Great catch. You know -- the great thing about 365 is you have taught me to love jumping spiders too! :-) Wish I could find them in my area...I will keep looking.
Great shot again of these cuties!!! I haven't been able to spot any jumping spiders in my area if I do I will move them to my green house to control aphids!!!
A great, big, cute-as-a-jumping-spider, bright and happy "THANK YOU!" to everyone! This definitely counts among my own favourite shots of jumping spiders. Isn't he gorgeous. Thank you so much for your constant support. I am grateful.
Another fab shot, jumpers are my favourite too, we have a lot around the house and my boy loves to chase them, I try to save them before he squashes them but he occasionally brings me one after a chase looking a bit worse for wear!
Omg! So cute! Fav! I will never forget the jumpy that got on and in my camera bag! I loved the pic from that one. I saw a brown one on the dock steps with a coral colored blossom behind it, but had only my canon Powershot 800 to get the shot. I regret that! I will keep hunting for them! They are sooooo little. That brown one on dock steps was about the size of the head of a pin!
Wonderful shot.
and the very great explanations.
Change of seasons has also a bad side. We often have it on one day.
The biggest problem when we go out : What do I wear and do we need a raincoat and an umbrella?.
To show it I`ll do a pic. for you to day of our yesterday`s weather
Nice work.
Fav for sure!