No, it’s not a typo. Wait—let me go back a step or two, and please have some understanding for my rather lengthy introduction…
My elder daughter has been fascinated by eight-legged creatures for as long as I can remember. And so have I, though my fascination has been focused more in the arachnid (spider) direction, while hers has expanded to include—and eventually concentrate upon—the mollusk varieties, to the extent that she has earned her PhD in marine biology with a primary interest in cephalopods (squid and octopi), and is now one of the world authorities in her field. By the way, I have her to thank for my migration to the WordPress community in May 2011.
That being said, she has maintained her interest in everything spiderish, and has incorporated a category of spider-related information and experience in her own website (if you’re interested, I will happily supply a link). I have been considering adding one of my own for quite some time now, and have decided that that time has come.
I fully realize that there are many of you out there who are—shall we say—not completely comfortable not only when in the company of spiders, but also when confronted with more intimate imagery. Please rest assured that it is not my intent to shock, scare, or otherwise intimidate any of my followers. I find them endlessly fascinating in their ecological perfection, their specialization as predators, and their seemingly-endless diversity. So please proceed with an open mind, and be willing to acknowledge and share in my admiration of one of our most amazing fellow creatures.
I’d like to start with an encounter that I had only yesterday. Since we moved to Omaha back in 1997, we have shared our home with little light-yellow spiders, about a centimeter in body length, pretty much through all the seasons. As you will know, if you’ve been reading my recent posts, our spring has been rather reluctant to manifest itself, and I’m indescribably eager to turn my photographic attention to new seasonal life in its reluctant progression. I don’t know what they’ve been eating (and, truth be told, I’d just as soon not), but two apparently fully-developed adults have made an appearance in the past few days. Yesterday, this one had positioned himself on a handy wall, and waited there patiently while I mounted my favorite lens onto my favorite camera, affixed them to my best tripod, and waited patiently there while we engaged in a very rewarding photo session. I have tentatively identified the object of my current affection as Cheiracanthium mildiae, commonly known as a black-footed or yellow-sac spider. There are many more spider portraits in my archives that I plan to share on this website so, if you’re an arachno-phobe, please take note: I will always preface their publication with the heading of “Webnesday.” So here’s my first offering for this new and hopefully-informative category.
krikitarts 
Excellent picture, Gary, and the background is just right for the beast! Adrian
Thanks, Adrian, they do seem to like to prowl around on walls and in corners that are of a similar color to themselves, which does make for interesting backgrounds.
First and foremost, man you must be proud of your daughter!! To be a world authority in one’s field is quite the impressive accomplishment!! Now, as for the spiders I have no problem looking at pictures of them. In fact, I have been known to photograph them as well because they are very fascinating. I’m fine with them as long as they are not crawling on my body LOL!! This shot is great, and I look forward to all of your Webnesdays.
I sure am proud of her, Cindy! And I have plans for many more Webnesdays; I don’t think you’ll be disappointed!
Nach all Deinen Spinnenfotos kann ich sie mir langsam ansehen, ohne gleich in Ohnmacht fallen zu wollen..Aber nur anschauen…In Natura würde ich schreien wie ein kleines Mädchen, in Tränen ausbrechen, während mein Verstand aussetzt und nur noch ein “Tuuuuu sie tot!!!” raus bringt ;) Dennoch, tolles Foto :)
Grüße
Das freut mich sehr, daβ Du sie Dir inzwischen ansehen kannst. Vielen Dank!
It’s a fine looking spider! I don’t mind looking at pictures of them at all.
Happy to hear it! I really do find them fascinating, and I think it’s a good idea to be adding this category so that those who have problems with them can avoid them in the future.
I’m very glad that I stopped-in today. :) And yes, you must be a very proud father…I think I could sense you smiling as I read your words….
Both daughters are the source of many a smile. I’m not surprised that some of them overflow into my posts and delighted that you noticed!
How wonderful for you…and them. :)
Aw, thanks, Dad. You were always going to be a good blogger–Wordpress just got lucky. :) And I look forward to more of your spider photos, and to posting more of mine when life settles down a little! Whenever that may be ;)
You’re so welcome! I have you to thank–for my my graduation to WordPress, for your inspration to branch off into a new 8-legged direction, and for letting me use your idea of Webnesday as its heading!
love spiders… i find them fascinating!!!!
So do I, Mike–fascinating and very challenging to photograph. This one made it much less complicated than is usually the case.
What an uplifting story about your daughter. I feel so proud for you. :)
While I wouldn’t want to keep spiders as pets, I love to study and photograph them. During my first spider photo shoot, it taught me a great lesson about life. Here is the post about it. http://emilygoochphotos.wordpress.com/2010/05/13/the-photographer-and-a-spider/
What an interesting story! Yes, their patience and perseverance are legendary. I’m happy to see that you gained more tolerance and respect during your encounters. This one looks a lot like an orb weaver (Neoscona sp.) that I included in an older post, too–here’s a link: https://krikitarts.wordpress.com/2011/12/09/warm-wishes-for-the-cold-season-part-1/.