I always feel like I am being hypnotized when I stare into the giant center eyes of a jumping spider. Resistance is futile when I try to look away—I am irresistibly drawn back to those mesmerizing eyes.
I spotted this really cool-looking Bronze Jumping Spider (Eris militaris) on Tuesday when I was photowalking at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge with my friend Walter Sanford. I was thrilled to spot this little spider perched atop of some waist-high vegetation. I had to move in close, though, to be sure that this was in fact a jumping spider, because the bodies of Bronze Jumping Spiders are only a bit over a quarter of inch (6-8 mm) in length.
The little spider was not jumping, but it was moving around a lot, which made it quite a challenge to photograph at such close range. However, that meant that I was able to get shots from multiple angles without having to change my shooting position, as you can see in the photos below.
I often encourage readers to double-click on the images to see the details of the subject and think that it is especially beneficial to do so with these images. You will be able to see the fascinating arrangement of the spider’s eyes—I think there are eight eyes—and the reflection of the sky and the landscape in the large front eyes.
My favorite photo is undoubtedly the first one. I love the direct view into the eyes of the jumping spider and its combative pose that reminds me of a sumo wrestler at the start of a match. Was the spider challenging me?
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
I bet you were twisted up in a knot taking these 😂😂😂. Very nice, especially since he was waist high 🤣
I am nodding and smiling as I type, truly amazed at these photos, Mike. I have spent thousands of hours outdoors observing nature, yet I can honestly say I have never stared into the eyes of a jumping spider. Thanks for getting us so close to this beautiful creature. I like the first photo best too, for the Sumo pose and face-to-face staring, but each photo was a treasure. The bristles and spots on the legs, the shape of the head. And the eyes!!!! Great to have counted all of them, and the reflection in the eyes is just crazy. This just made my day.
I really like spiders and I find their eyes fascinating. I, therefore, really love that first portrait. That spider is adorable. Those eyes are like puppy eyes to me. I would bring that spider home from the pound.
Thanks, Laura. I seem to recall you mentioning that you like spiders. It is hard to think of other species being described as having puppy eyes, but somehow it fits for jumping spiders.
Absolutely amazing. Especially the first one. I can’t help but imagine this critter being 30 feet high.
Thanks, Michael. If this creature were 30 feet tall, it could star in a monster movie in the genre of King Kong vs Godzilla. 🙂
That’s what I can’t help but think. I remember one of the worst science-fiction movies ever made. You can see it on YouTube, if you can stand it. It’s called Teenagers from Outer Space. They used a black-painted lobster shot from very low angles. I think the budget for this movie was about $500 in 1960 or whenever it was made, exactly.
I had never seen that movie before, but it is available on You Tube and I watched part of it. It is quirky and has a low-budget feel to it, but, according to what I read on the internet, it is viewed as a cult classic. I chuckled a bit when I saw the black lobster–my jumping spider would have made a better space creature. 🙂
Your jumping spider would’ve made a much better space creature. The movie is indeed a cult classic. The thing is, I believe it’s a cult classic because it’s so bad. Sort of like the Ed Wood movies. Ever seen Plan 9 from Outer Space? A cult classic to be sure. It also has been called the worst movie ever made. Quite a distinction!
Well, I guess that I have another movie to check out–there probably is a fair amount of competition for the distinction of being considered the worst movie in history. 🙂
I just had a thundering realization on why the movie was re-titled Plan 9 from Outer Space. The first eight plans didn’t work and they ran out of money.
Sweet shots of the new saltie! Although some spiders have only six eyes, I believe that all of the Salticids have the full complement of eight.
Thanks, Gary. I know a whole lot more about dragonflies than about arachnids, so any info you can pass on about spiders is definitely welcome.
Great photos, Mike!!
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Thanks, Mitzy.
Awesome captures, Mike. I loved the enlarged pix seeing all the details. It was nice of it to turn, maybe it was posing for you! 😉
Thanks, Eliza. I love my macro lens, primarily because it lets me capture so many tiny details. I’d like to think that the spider was being cooperative, but it needs to learn to hold a pose for a little while longer before it moves to a new pose. 🙂
Never seen a jumping spider with these colours before, Mike! Fabulous photos, especially when zoomed up close. They are either in the wrong position or they won’t keep still enough for me to get that full face shot … so full kudos for that one! 🙂
Thanks, Pete. I was kneeling and shooting for quite a while trying to get some decent shots. Many of the images were out of focus because the spider kept moving or because I misfocused on the eyes. It’s been a few years since I last saw a jumping spider, so it was a real joy to be able to get some decent shots of this one.
Love that you are hypnotized by spider eyes. 💕
I really like to be able to look into the eyes of my subjects. Most of the time there are only two of them, but with spiders the joy in multiplied. 🙂
😄❤️
The eyes have it in that first shot. Glad that you jumped at the chance to photograph this spider.
I used to play basketball a bit and I always lamented that I could not jump better. At my age, the spider can definitely jump higher than I can. Thanks, Steve.
Just don’t jump on me! The ones I am familiar with here do not have the white stripes. Yep, the eyes are hypnotic. Bet it is counting on that for the kill!?!
There are supposed to be lots of different species of jumping spiders, but I have only seen a few of them, which were all pretty small in size, compared to some other spiders.