Jump
I think we’ve established by now that I’m a bit of a creepy-crawly enthusiast.
I am. I love ‘em. They fascinate me. Anything with more legs than I seems to intrigue me.
Though while I’ve seen a whole host and variety of creepy-crawlies, there’s no other creepy-crawly that I love watching as much as the Jumping Spider.
We seem to have a host of these little acrobats around lately - many more than I’ve seen in previous years (maybe I wasn’t looking as hard back then - I certainly wasn’t driven by the macro lens to find new shooting material anyway) and they’re coming in a whole wacky range of shapes, sizes, varying levels of hairiness and colour. One thing they all have in common though, is character.
Watching a Jumping Spider is like watching an episode of Benny Hill. If you added the music, you’d have a show, I swear it. They tip-toe around on leaves in what seems like fast-forward on Nature’s remote control. Their movements have no in between. They are facing you. Then they’re not. There’s no medium, there’s no smooth action between. They don’t try to calmly avert your view or slide out of vision, they are there and they are being noticed - and they know it.
Somehow, they manage to strike poses that would put Jim Carrey to shame, the utter slapstick comedy of their movements is divine. Magically, they’ll approach the edge of a leaf or branch and in one click of movement, they are somehow under the leaf. Again, with no in between. They just somehow defied gravity and now begin to rewrite the laws of physics.
Then to top it off, they’ll have the audacity to pop those massive googly eyes out from under said leaf and stare at you - to make sure you saw that spectacular show.
Maybe I’m imagining it all - maybe they’re only doing what comes naturally to them - evading a predator by any means necessary.
I don’t want to believe this though, its just too basic, too plain, too boring for the wonder that is nature.
becca3003 said,
February 4, 2008 @ 11:06 pm
Spiders always freak me out!! And seeing it up close like that just makes shivers run down my spine
But your pics are very cool!! 
Showed them to Lee, she liked them too! 
Looks like that little spider is wearing glasses 
Like how it’s hiding under the leaf 
Though have to say the ‘Don’t Look Down’ one is such a cool one!! 
That caption goes with it so well!! 
Katie said,
February 4, 2008 @ 11:06 pm
That is one cute little spider! His eyes are so beady, he looks like he is constantly staring at you. I suppose he is though eh
Your lens is one sassy bit of equipment! Definitely does a great job! I would love to be there when you take these photos! It’s a shame that it seems when I’m working you aren’t and when you work I don’t
I have been so productive tonight! I have compiled an entire outfit for the 80’s party Emma is going to (and man did I do a great job!) and I have researched our little holiday for your birthday! And bought a few dresses off Ebay! And guess what! They have colour in them! Not my usual black or brown! They are green and vintage and one of a kind. So lovely. I’m naughty…
ScottyB said,
February 4, 2008 @ 11:23 pm
Bec,
These little guys are nothing to worry about! The one pictured in “Don’t Look Down” could comfortably sit on the end of a pencil! The ‘big’ one that’s peering out from under the leaf is only about twice that size! I think they are so cute!
Yeah that’s now one of my favourite photos.. such a great moment! Hehe..
Katie,
So glad I bought this Macro lens.. It’s a ball.. we’ll have to go hunting next time you’re over. Come over earlier one afternoon and we’ll go looking!
I think so too! Such a cutie
Naughty girl spending your money on more clothes! You should be saving!
Katie said,
February 4, 2008 @ 11:26 pm
They were only $20 each! Made by a girl in QLD. Literally one of a kind! I will be the only one wearing them!!! They are cute as!
I will come over early so I can go on the expedition. Although I think you should come over so you can explore my garden! It’s also full of wonderful little buggies. Friday I don’t believe I am working so I can come over really early!!
Vanwall said,
February 8, 2008 @ 2:47 pm
Nice pics! I grew up with jumping spiders all over the place in Arizona, so I grew to like the little buggers. They don’t seem too afraid, either.
ScottyB said,
February 12, 2008 @ 11:51 am
Thanks V!
Amazing little creatures.. like something out of a Stephen King novel haha.. just don’t seem real sometimes.