I was checking out the plants yesterday in my neighbor’s garden when I came upon this cool-looking spider, a type that I had never before encountered. From an initial check on-line, it looks like this might be a kind of jumping spider, though I really am out on a limb with the guess. In any case, I really like the combination of red and black on his body and the multiple eyes that are just visible.
With the arrival of spring, I am starting to see some familiar insects from last year and some new “friends.” It’s an exciting time for me.
Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved
Mike Powell 
Love spiders out in the garden, but get hubby to take them outside when they decide indoors looks interesting. What a gorgeous shot.
You definitely have a jumping spider here, Mike (right again!), and it looks like a Phidippus princeps. Here ‘s a link: http://www.cirrusimage.com/spider_jumping_P_princeps.htm.
Thanks (again), Gary. You seem to be able to find photos that look more like what I have shot than I do. This is the first jumping spider that I’ve seen and the first sighting is almost always the most exciting. Next time I want to see if I can get better photos of the eyes, which are really interesting (and I am also looking to find a wolf spider).
The eyes have it! In the Salticids (jumping spiders), they have developed to amazing size, as they hunt actively, spotting prey from considerable distances, rather than building webs to snare what might happen to come their way. I find them endlessly fascinating, and am always captivated when I come across a new one. This is where our macro possibilities really come into full play.
I usually look at the comments, because I always find that that those who follow your blog would have that answer off the top of their head. Your blog is fascinating reading. The photo is indeed really great.
I wonder if he is so furry because of the cold. Lots of plants, like hepatica for instance, use the same defense against cold.