I was outside on a sunny day and found a Red Back Jumping Spider hunting flies along the top of a brick wall. These little guys are curious and have excellent vision. I’ve found they have little fear of people, unless you make sudden moves or loom too much. This is one of those spiders that with its red and black coloration immediately sends the ignorant packing with fears of black widows, which of course resemble these only in color. It would be like confusing a cow with a zebra. I’ve handled dozens of these and have only been bitten once (by a pregnant female).  It made my finger a little numb for an hour or so but I had no other side effects at all.

This one was nearly full grown, and was curious enough about me to come right up to the edge of the wall and slaver for the camera. If you look in her eyes you can see my reflection, as well as the wall beneath her feet.

• Camera: Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi
• Lens: EF-S60mm f/2.8 Macro USM
• Shutter Speed: 1/200
• ISO: 100
• Aperture: 4.5

Post Processing: A  contrast boost, a bit of sharpen. Cropped it for composition.