Allow me to turn the clock back a bit, to a late sunny morning on March 14, on Batty’s patio in New Zealand. I’d just settled down in a comfortable lounge chair out on the deck and was admiring the wonderful colors in her jasmine bush when I noticed a small movement. Upon closer inspection, I saw a small spider prowling the branches and leaves. It was a Trite planiceps, or black-headed jumping spider, probably the most common jumper in the country, and certainly the species that I’ve seen more than any other there. He was moving quite slowly, which gave me plenty of time to set up for a portrait session.
He was very willing to share the experience and, at one point actually jumped onto my lens hood. Love it when this happens! Regarding pronunciation, Trite rhymes with “mighty.” It was probably a male because of the very long front legs and robust chelicerae. Hi, there!
krikitarts 
Hi there and then from my mouth to husband, “Honeyyyyy….can you please come kill this spider?”” I know, I’m terrible. lol
Not terrible, Laura, just underinformed. There are no reports of serious bites from this kind of spider–in fact, it will not bite at all unless it is seriously provoked. In fact, they are very welcome in houses in NZ because they’re so great at pest control.
I don’t care if I’m underinformed! lol I don’t like spiders. *shudders*
Nice macro work Gary!
I love working with these little guys, Robyn–thanks a lot!
Lovely – as you know I’m a great fan of your Webnesday posts! Nice background colours for him too. I wonder what Laura would have thought of the Huntsman I found the other week, it had a body the size of a baby mouse and was beautiful!
Some questions are better left unanswered… Huntsmen (can one say that?) are really fascinating–there are so many varieties on different continents. The one that impressed me the most was in Tasmania. I was driving around 50 kph and saw it crossing the road from a distance of maybe 50 m. I stopped and it waited for me. Its leg span was about the same as my outstretched hand. I was able to get a couple of shots, but had no time for my tripod. It’s not really sharp enough to post, but maybe…
I’m not a spider fan either, but that 2nd shot really is a great macro. Shows the details without looking too scary.
(I had to stop following one of my favourite UK blogs because the writer seemed to suddenly have a penchant for gory slimy spiders and bugs macros. I used to love his images of the squirrels, foxes and wee critters in the woods and his stories about being a nature warden. He also developed a habit of replacing all his natural backgrounds with black – spoilt his beautiful delicate Spring flower images).
I realize that many folks are uncomfortable when confronted by graphic spider images, and I try not to include the most aggressive-looking ones with fangs at the ready, etc. I completely understand about and empathize with your un-following the other blog. I’m really happy to know that I haven’t disenchanted you, too!
No, you definitely haven’t put me off your blog, Gary. I like the mix of subjects and stories on your blog (and your macro images are really tack sharp).
I suppose we all change our photography style and subjects over time. Although one of the reasons I took up street photography was because I couldn’t walk much last winter with such bad ankle pain, necessitating city walks which were much, much shorter. I’ve photographed every flower, bird and animal within walking distance so many times (that I ran out of new subjects) anyway.
I’m just starting to Unfollow a few more blogs now as I spend too much time reading them and not enough time getting outdoors taking photos. I feel a little guilty doing this, but if I want to progress, I shall have to get up earlier, get outdoors earlier and venture further afield for new subject material.
Superb close-up!
I do so love to get as close as I can to these little folk, especially when they’re so accommodating. I’m prowling our stone walls almost daily in the hope that an offspring of last year’s Phidippus audax will appear…
Beautiful portrait, man! A
I can take but half the credit, Adrian. My subject must take the cooperative other half.