Fred the jumping spider

[Dassi]

Normally I enjoy getting outside and shooting my subjects in their natural environment, but Fred was a different story. I had my eyes on Fred for a few weeks, I had been stalking him daily, and would find him every so often in the same general location. Unfortunately, it was in a place that was not at all conducive to getting a good shot. Finally one day, I decided to bring him inside. I set up a "playground" on my desk with several branches and other natural props. I let him roam freely, while I tried my best to get a few shots and when I was done returned him to the wild. Taken with a Canon T3i and Sigma 18-250mm lens zoomed to 250mm with a Raynox 250. Flash is a manual Yongnuo YN560-II with a DIY diffuser.

[MarkSturtevant]

Nice shots! That is how it often is with jumping spiders. Its a bit easier still if you give them a fly to munch on.