The weather is damp and the lighting is dim in my backyard today; less than ideal for taking pictures of birds. This makes me a bit crazy when my finger is itching to hit the shutter button! Thankfully, I saw this spider hanging out in my front yard, and he didn’t seem to mind me snapping several photos.
I had to get pretty close to this fellow, and although I find them fascinating, I am not a huge spider fan. I kept having visions of him pouncing from his web (do spiders even pounce?) and landing on me, which would most certainly be followed by a blood curdling scream and my camera getting flung to the ground in my frantic efforts to flick it off me.
Let me give you a closer look.
When he started shifting positions, I decided that we could call our photo shoot finished!
He is rather cool looking though, don’t you think?
Backyard Bird Nerd 
Spot on focus. Great job.
Why thank you! I am having so much fun learning! 🙂
You’re welcome. Best with all of your photographic endeavors.
I think you were right to end your photography session; the last picture does look as if he is getting ready to pounce. 🙂 BTW, was wondering what the largest and smallest birds are and thought you would know. Are they the flamingo and hummingbird?
So…if you go by height and weight, the largest bird is an ostrich. By wingspan, I think it is a type of Albatross. The smallest is indeed a type of Hummingbird. 🙂
What are these called? I saw one yesterday too. Amazing photos!!
Well…as best as I can figure out…it is a type of Orb Weaver. I had never noticed one before.
Thanks.. They’re fascinating to look at😊
Great shots Kathy! This month is great for spiders, they are all over. 🙂
I will probably have bad dreams after spending time with this one this morning!
Hairy little chap, isn’t he? That would be more than close enough for me…
It’s like I want to back away and I can’t! And he is very hairy!
Great photos. Congratulations!!
Thanks! 🙂
Great spider shot Kathy! Yes, the weather is crazy here for this time of year, it is supose to be summer but we are experiencing weather like yours right now, not good for birding, though my wife and I did go out yesterday and braved the weather, but God held back the rain and we had a wonderful time together, the only people in the reserve, visiting the Tawny Frogmouth nest & the babies (pictured on my home page). Somestimes spiders, frogs and insects are all we will see, but they all beautiful creatures worthy of our appreciation and our Heavenly Father’s praise and adoration.
Great photo, Kathy! It did give me the creeps a bit though. Hehe! 😉
I can’t decide whether he is totally creepy or totally cool…I am thinking perhaps both!
I’ve been having the same type of weather problems… Kudos for not giving up but instead finding a really cool spider! A little creepy to be sure, but awesome! 😀
I think its the fuzzy body that makes me squirm a bit!
He is a geogeous fellow! At least I think he is a fellow with those sideburns!
He really is gorgeous in his own way…although I suspect “he” may actually be a “she” based on the size.
Oh yes, he looks very cool. I enjoyed this series very much 🙂
I find myself oddly fascinated with this fellow! 🙂
She is mesmerizing!
That is one hairy spider! Nice macro shots.
I am thinking it is an Orb Weaver of some sort…any thoughts?