Via Flickr:
Phidippus audax is a common jumping spider of North America. It is commonly referred to as the daring jumping spider, or bold jumping spider. The average size of adults ranges from roughly 13–20 millimetres in length. Wikipedia

Notice the brilliant green iridescent chelicerae used to transport venom!

Via Flickr:
This phidippus audax tried his best to run from me as I took a series of photographs. Picture my camera with full extension tube set in my right hand while using my right hand to encouragement movement so he would peek his body around this tiny plant.

My girlfriend spotted this spider in her garden and thankfully I had my camera nearby.

Very small phidippus audax jumping spider found at Riverbend Park today. These spiders are typically large in terms of jumping spider standards and are commonly found in North America. So the experts say. I have been searching for these guys the last few trips to a place I spotted dozens previously and have had no luck. Today I was on my way back to my car and was shooting another insect when I noticed this little guy hiding.

I have dealt with dozens of jumping spiders and from my experience this variety does it’s best to run when approached. Most other jumpers I have photographed, with few exceptions, will look directly at me as if to taunt me and jump towards my camera in an effort to scare me off. They can jump between 10 to 50 times their body length and are also called bold and daring jumping spiders. This was at full magnification with stacked extension tubes and handheld.

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Another jumping spider, but this creepy little guy was running around with some kind of tiny insect that it caught. Jumping spiders hunt their prey similar to a cat. When shooting macro I try and find colorful plants and will typically find jumpers in close proximity waiting for a meal. They have 8 eyes and very good vision. The large eyes are adapted for dim light. They also have eyes that permit three-dimensional vision for purposes of estimating the range, direction, and nature of potential prey, permitting the spider to direct its attacking leaps with great precision.

On many occasions these spiders will jump into my camera lens to try and scare me off. Never works…

Also this particular spider kept running away from me as if I was going to take it’s meal. I have seen them with prey at other times, but they usually abandon it. Must have been a hell of a meal.

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