Now that it is spring, it is time for the crawling critters to reappear, like this little spider that I spotted last week while exploring in Prince William County. Some spiders overwinter as adults, so this spider may have just awoken from a long winter’s sleep. If so, the spider may have decided to go back to bed, because temperatures have dropped the last couple of days and it is currently about 25 degrees outside (minus 4 C)—it was 70 degrees (21 degrees C) when I photographed the spider last week.
UPDATE: Initial indications from an expert at bugguide.net suggest that this is a wolf spider.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
He looks big enough to build himself a fire to stay warm. Great photo.
I love your comment, Dan. There is nothing in the photo to provide a sense of scale, so viewers are allowed to see the spider as large as their imagination (or fear) permits. 🙂
Lovely photo, Mike. When I clicked on this photo, I was rewarded with the beauty of your close-up, seeing the hairy body, leg hairs, beady eyes and even shadows. Thank you.
Thanks, Jet. Your description shows that you took a really close look at the spider and all of its wonderful details. With a macro shot like this one, I am able to show people details that they would never see on their own and provide a peak into a whole new world.
Looks like a likely-right ID to me, too. Nice to have them out and about again.
All kinds of creatures are awakening and being born–spring is a wonderful time of the year. 🙂
Aren’t they the ones who have a nasty bite for humans? Be careful, O Mighty Explorer 🙂
I don’t think that wolf spiders bite human, but I try to be cautious around spiders and snakes, even when I know they are non-poisonous.