Isn't he the cutest little jumping spider ever! XD How can something so tiny—at 0.5cm he's smaller than the little nail on my littlest finger—be so unbelievably cute!? Look at those big round eyes! I love this little guy! 8D
This is why I go out on hot and humid mornings with my camera, get into all sorts of back-breaking postures peering into bushes and plants (I have hurt my back again and I'm sitting up very straight as I type and I'll be sleeping with a cushion under my knees tonight), looking for the tiniest movements that might point me in the direction of a jumping spider. I get all excited when I spot one but I have to stop myself from giggling and squeeing because they won't wait around for me and I have to get my shots as quickly as I can. And then I come home and I look at them on my monitor, and I smile so much as I stare, that I wonder if I have lost my marbles. (Assuming I had any to start with.)
I think this is one of your BEST ever! I love the zig zag edges of the leaves, the warm light and that warm brown spider! Composition is excellent! Love love love! fav
@espyetta His home is a hibiscus plant, so that's the pretty edge of a hibiscus leaf! And I do think it's my best shot, which means it's going to be all downhill from here! XD But that's okay. Because he's so cute and I'm super happy with the shots I have of him. 8D
@myautofocuslife The light is just right...so he looks brown and fuzzy....so many of bug macros are in limited light..so you cannot see their colors. But this one is perfect!
Yes, he is cute, I think he is my favourite so far. Now I know you get billions of comments Livia, but I have a question,This little chap appears to have 4 eyes, but it can't be so. I need a Jumping Spider anatomy lesson from you, please explain what the things that look like 4 eyes actually are...I love his hursuitness. In the early 1980s it twas the fashion in the UK for men to have a hair cut called a flat top. He looks like he has one. Is this the start of the flat top comeback? +F by the way:))
Haha, I can picture you (because I have never seen a selfie I have my own mental picture of you) getting excited and containing that excitement because of a .5cm spider....funny. Now where do I find my marbles?
Another perfect jumping spider shot!
So delighted with your obvious delight. Yes, he is cute and your photography is perfect but the icing on the cake is your story to go with it. Keep on doing what you do so well. Fav
Fav. So glad to see these cutes guys make a return and like Dad said - your stories are what makes these pics easy to Fav (as I did with this one). And I'm pretty sure that you're sane..."normal" is a very long continuum :-)
"Giggling and squeeling" lol. Not many people do that when they see spiders!! However, you and your adorable jumpers, along with my own attempt to "get closer" to these critters, is making me see the cuteness that they are now! Jumpers however.... erm. I'm terrified. I think I'd die if it landed on me.
@traeumerlein@seanoneill This little guy, like other jumping spiders (and most spiders), have 8 eyes. Actually 6 of them can be seen in my shot. But I'll refer you to another shot I had made in July, at the beginning of my first Jumping Spiders Week. Please take a look, I have an explanation in the description, of how the spider has 8 eyes and you will be able to make out all of them: http://365project.org/myautofocuslife/365/2012-07-02
As you can see, from most angles, it's not possible to see all 8 eyes of the jumping spider. The most obvious are the 4 forward-facing ones because they are the biggest, and they are one of the defining traits of the jumping spider. Most of us who shoot jumping spiders like to have a head-on perspective that will show these eyes. Because they are sooo cute! XD
Sean, I hope my explanation makes sense to you. If you still have trouble making out all 8 eyes on a jumping spider, I recommend taking a look at this blogger's most amazing, detailed spider shots, you can see the eyes beautifully! http://sgmacro.blogspot.sg/2012/03/marvelling-at-eyes-of-jumping-spider.html
@myautofocuslife Thanks Livia, yes I understand much better now. What amazing creatures these little fellas are. I can perfectly understand your passion for them. The blog explains all perfectly, I have saved it to show my kids when I get home from my business trip at the weekend.
A great, big, round-eyed, super curious, a little jumpy, kind of fuzzy, really cute "THANK YOU!" to everyone!
I know spiders aren't a subject people would usually associate the word "cute" with. A year ago, I would've thought it was impossible. But now, with my newfound love for jumping spiders, I can't see them as anything but cute. Thank you so much for putting up with my spider shots and my annoyingly unending proclamations of "CUTE!" over the little guys. I can't help it.
@myautofocuslife I wouldn't associate cute with many spiders at all... but jumping spiders, they ARE cute. I've also discovered a little lynx spider in my garden and it's very pretty too... maybe it's partly because they're small and not menancing that I feel ok with them both?
@ozziehoffy Yes, I believe size has a lot to do with it. At least for me. If a jumping spider was a metre across, I would not find it cute at all! I'll be running in the other direction already! XD
I am not sure I would use the term cute...since I am not fan of spiders, but it certainly seems less intimidating than it's larger cousins. Beautiful detailed focus Livia.
You`re a great model.
Another perfect jumping spider shot!
http://365project.org/myautofocuslife/365/2012-07-02
As you can see, from most angles, it's not possible to see all 8 eyes of the jumping spider. The most obvious are the 4 forward-facing ones because they are the biggest, and they are one of the defining traits of the jumping spider. Most of us who shoot jumping spiders like to have a head-on perspective that will show these eyes. Because they are sooo cute! XD
Sean, I hope my explanation makes sense to you. If you still have trouble making out all 8 eyes on a jumping spider, I recommend taking a look at this blogger's most amazing, detailed spider shots, you can see the eyes beautifully!
http://sgmacro.blogspot.sg/2012/03/marvelling-at-eyes-of-jumping-spider.html
I love these jumping spiders! 8D
I know spiders aren't a subject people would usually associate the word "cute" with. A year ago, I would've thought it was impossible. But now, with my newfound love for jumping spiders, I can't see them as anything but cute. Thank you so much for putting up with my spider shots and my annoyingly unending proclamations of "CUTE!" over the little guys. I can't help it.
I'm truly grateful for your support. Thank you.