A Very Pretty Spider

While out for a walk I discovered this spider seemingly suspended in the air.  One of the prettiest spiders I've ever come across.

What a difference the background makes!

Lake Spider

For one who experiences the "normal" aversion to spiders and such, I've posted quite a few spider and other bug images.  Could it be that I actually find them interesting and attractive -- under some circumstances at least? 😏

Three Corners

I shot this vertex where two buildings and a point meet

because it reminded me of the "Four Corners" point where four states of the US (Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico) meet at a single piont.

But then I realized there was a little stowaway that "photobombed" the shot.

It reminded me of a story I read a long time ago as a child, about Ignacy Jan Paderewski, the pianist and composer who went on to become the prime minister of Poland.  It was about how, during the time Paderewski was rooming in Vienna, when he played a particular piece by Chopin on the piano, a spider would come down from the ceiling on a thread of silk and sit on the piano, seemingly to listen to him playing.

I Read Somewhere

that when you are outdoors in a natural environment, statistically you would never be more than three feet away from a spider.  Well, yesterday a tiny spider was found within a decidedly non-natural, highly artificial environment -- in the lobby of my apartment building, right next to the elevator, and in front of a mirror, too (placed there presumably so you can give yourself a final lookover before setting out).

So I took a picture of the spider in the mirror:

Today I forgot to check on the little fellow when I came home, so I went back down to take a look just now.  He was gone.  The hardworking "environment beautification technicians" (janitors/cleaning ladies) had got him.  Ah well.

Moon Spider

I just took this photo, like just minutes ago, and I had to post it right away.

I was on my way down to the convenience store on (yet another) beer run, but on the way I got distracted by the sight of the waxing-crescent moon and started shooting.  But then, I spotted this little guy plying his trade off the street lamp, and I was just mesmerized.  I took a bunch of quick shots until the spider went stealth by rounding to the back of the light pole.  This one is the best of the bunch (you can enlarge it by left click, right click, and "open mage in new tab"), and I even showed it off to the convenience store clerk.  His reaction indicated that he probably thought I was a little odd.

Itsy Bitsy Spidey

(Watch full screen)

Christmas Present

A steel tarantula, from somebody who knows me well^