Lol. Wonderful photo. I had a mate who if they encountered a spider would freak out, phobic, panic, it wasn’t funny for him, but then we do have two very poisonous spiders here so I guess it makes some sense.
Far too many people overreact regarding them! 🙂 We are right on the periphery of the poisonous Recluse spider’s expanding range. I’m not losing any sleep over it. Man is far more dangerous!
Those eyes, in jumping spiders, tend to continue to circle around the head. 🙂 They pretty much have 360 degree vision. Good to have when predators and prey relationships often depend upon who sees who first.
Most phobias occur below the level of conscious awareness. Whether of heights, spiders, snakes, or pomegranates. They can be addressed, but it usually takes a somatic approach to loosen the body reflex. Spiders don’t bother me at all, but I have a number of clients who struggle. Interestingly, as their general level of trauma activation reduces, their reactivity around whatever they are phobic of also decreases. Beautiful photo!
He looks almost “pettable” with soft hair like a kitten (wow, did I really say that?) A jumping spider I can deal with; its the creepy-looking ones with the juicy bodies and thick legs that send me into a tailspin. Them and their multi-legged centipede friends. Millipedes I’m cool with … they move the same pace as me. I don’t like anything that moves faster than I do.
I used to have foot long pet millipedes years ago, in a terrarium in the garage, and my wife Marla would not go into the garage. I had to do the laundry, as the washer and dryer were in the garage. Geese! 🙂
Oh my goodness – I didn’t know millipedes got that big! I can deal with them, the normal-sized ones, when I see them in the basement, but not those centipedes. I am terrified of them.
And they’re smart little fellas. I just read that scientists trained a jumping spider to leap at different distances and different heights on command! Great photo…
Wow! They do seem extremely “aware.” They’ve had a long time to evolve. I have a couple of fossilized jumping spiders in Baltic Amber, 50-million-years-old. 🙂
I beg to differ, equipsblog. I am a woman and I love spiders. If people were to take the time to study them they would see they are caring mothers, amazing artists, and extremely diverse creatures. We shouldn’t fear creatures just because they are different from us! A few extra legs and eyes aren’t that bad, right? 😉
Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog 
haha Perfect! 😀
I bet Cape Town has some super beautiful ones! 🙂
True, tho I’m not too keen on the massive Baboon spiders, I do like the little Jumping spiders. 😀
I’m sorry Tom but that looks so, chill running down my spine, UGH.
It’s a harmless, beautiful jumping spider! Reprogramming is in order. 🙂
Lol. Wonderful photo. I had a mate who if they encountered a spider would freak out, phobic, panic, it wasn’t funny for him, but then we do have two very poisonous spiders here so I guess it makes some sense.
Far too many people overreact regarding them! 🙂 We are right on the periphery of the poisonous Recluse spider’s expanding range. I’m not losing any sleep over it. Man is far more dangerous!
Yes to that.
Gosh, that row of eyes!
Those eyes, in jumping spiders, tend to continue to circle around the head. 🙂 They pretty much have 360 degree vision. Good to have when predators and prey relationships often depend upon who sees who first.
Most phobias occur below the level of conscious awareness. Whether of heights, spiders, snakes, or pomegranates. They can be addressed, but it usually takes a somatic approach to loosen the body reflex. Spiders don’t bother me at all, but I have a number of clients who struggle. Interestingly, as their general level of trauma activation reduces, their reactivity around whatever they are phobic of also decreases. Beautiful photo!
I’m dreadfully afraid of pomegranates, unconsciously of course! 🙂
all those seeds. . .
Frighteningly precarious seeds…
Yes!!! Love this! Just perfect!
So glad you are appreciative of their beauty, Roda! Spiders are not dreadfully dangerous (like many people are)! 🙂
Exactly
Terrific photo Tom!
Thanks much, Belinda! It helps to have a very cooperative subject! 🙂
monkey say long live jumping spider.
I want to shower you with bananas! 🙂
I’d say the eyes have it, not the nays!
Ha! Good one! Yes, the multitudinous “I”s! 🙂
Not generally afraid of spiders, but this guy looks pretty sinister.
It’s a harmless, sweet Jumping Spider. Let them walk on your hand; I do! 🙂
I’ll think about it if I run into one 🤔. For now I’m just getting used to the cyanide releasing millipedes.
He looks almost “pettable” with soft hair like a kitten (wow, did I really say that?) A jumping spider I can deal with; its the creepy-looking ones with the juicy bodies and thick legs that send me into a tailspin. Them and their multi-legged centipede friends. Millipedes I’m cool with … they move the same pace as me. I don’t like anything that moves faster than I do.
I used to have foot long pet millipedes years ago, in a terrarium in the garage, and my wife Marla would not go into the garage. I had to do the laundry, as the washer and dryer were in the garage. Geese! 🙂
Oh my goodness – I didn’t know millipedes got that big! I can deal with them, the normal-sized ones, when I see them in the basement, but not those centipedes. I am terrified of them.
And they’re smart little fellas. I just read that scientists trained a jumping spider to leap at different distances and different heights on command! Great photo…
Wow! They do seem extremely “aware.” They’ve had a long time to evolve. I have a couple of fossilized jumping spiders in Baltic Amber, 50-million-years-old. 🙂
I love him!
Ok, Tom, I have to admit, I knew I was probably going to fear opening this post, I am super-scared of spiders! 🙂
Although this sounds outrageous, I fear it is contagious. A woman sees a spider, screams, so does the one beside her.
I beg to differ, equipsblog. I am a woman and I love spiders. If people were to take the time to study them they would see they are caring mothers, amazing artists, and extremely diverse creatures. We shouldn’t fear creatures just because they are different from us! A few extra legs and eyes aren’t that bad, right? 😉
Wow, what a striking image! The spider looks very powerful up close. What equipment did you use?