As I was checking out the flowers in my neighbors’ garden yesterday afternoon, I came across this little spider, sitting on top of a flower. There was no web anywhere in the vicinity, so I suspected that I might have a jumping spider.
Last month, I encountered a tiny, fuzzy spider that turned out to me a jumping spider, so I am a little more attuned to looking for them now. This one is definitely not the same kind, though, with completely different colors and markings. You can compare the two by checking out the photos in my previous posting.you
When I first saw the spider, it had just captured some kind of insect as you can see in the second photo. It then moved under the shade of a petal of the flower to enjoy its freshly caught dinner. I showed this moment in the first and third shots. The first one was taken a little closer and shows a lot of detail, but I really like the context that the third one provides and it is probably my favorite one. The final shot gives you an overall view of the spider.
I love the color and pattern of the spider and was happy that I was able to capture some of the details. The spider was not very big and I had trouble placing my tripod on the uneven ground to get a sharp shot. I am really happy with the results, however, and will definitely keep looking for these spiders with eyes that I find to be simply irresistible.
Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved
Mike Powell 
The contrast between the spider and the yellow petals is stunning. I think I’d frame that first shot. I wonder if those really are eyes or some other appendage designed to look like eyes to scare birds off.
My understanding is that they are actual eyes (they have eight eyes) and that they can see really well.
really nice macros!
Nice macros – ugly spider 🙂
I’m sure its favorite song is “I only have eyes for you.” I like the little guy, though I’d hesitate to call him handsome.
🙂
Great shots, Mike. I believe this is a zebra jumper, Salticus scenicus.
Thanks, Gary, for helping with the identification. I wonder if there is reason why I am seeing jumping spiders now (other than the fact that I wasn’t looking very closely in the past).
I never thought I’d say this about a spider, but it’s really CUTE! 😀 Super nice photos, Mike!
Wow. That’s high praise, considering that you don’t like spiders! Thanks!
That’s a great series. The bright flower is a wonderful background to really show it off.
Thanks, Lyle. I am used to looking for spiders by looking for their webs. However, I have recently come across several that don’t use webs and they have been really cool-looking ones. I guess now when I go to photograph flowers, I’ll have to look even more closely at them.
[…] are a huge contrast with the eyes of a jumping spider that I featured recently in a posting, which had multiple sets of large eyes. […]
Excellent capture! The contrasty colors really add to the overall feel. And those eyes!
Thanks. I was a little surprised to find a spider on a flower, but it sure made for a cool shot and the eyes are indeed incredible.