I shot this one for Minolta Challenge #8: Reflections.
Don't you think my huntsman spider looks like it's doing the Dr Evil thing with its little thingy, whatever it might be called?
This is just a standard macro shot with no additional CUL.
Digital Photography Journal chose this macro as its Image Of The Day for 26 April 2005 :^)
http://www.dphotojournal.com/iotd-whos-the-fairest-one-of-all-by-john/
Huntsmen spiders don't tend to attack people. They don't even build webs. They just eat flies, etc to keep the place in order. They're territorial, so if you find one in your kitchen, for example, there probably won't be another one nearby. It took me a while to get used to the idea that you can live with these guys without really having to be scared by them, even though some grow somewhat bigger than this one.
Unlike most other spiders, Huntsmen have legs that hinge more horizontally rather than vertically so that they can flatten themselves very well to get through narrow slits and hide in tight places.
Side view here:
full:
http://www.pbase.com/image/46425225
This has proven to be the most popular image in my galleries, based on hits.
If you like this image, you may be interested in my Spiders gallery, which is the most popular of my galleries:
http://www.pbase.com/john_down_under/bugs_spiders