h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Getting too close to spiders -- or looking at close-up pictures of them -- can get me really spooked.

Now, if they were as colorful as butterflies, it might be different.

Come to think of it, a few of them are colorful, like the Peacock Spider
http://www.livescience.com/39052-peacock-spider-mating-dance.html

or the ladybird Spider
http://www.ecokidsplanet.co.uk/blogs/news/endangered-feature-creature-the-ladybird-spider

I should probably try to be more supportive, though. Black and white photos have their place, of course. Spiders can be appreciated for patterns.

I wonder what kind of spider is in these pictures?

*I should probably try to be more supportive, though. Black and white photos have their place, of course*

(Pssst! They were taken as part of a black and white photography challenge mate....)

Common garden (UK) spider. But it was the pretty webs I was trying to show.

Yes, I can admire spiders from a distance when they are outside, but when they are in my house they spook me indeed... (like last night - I caught a glimpse of movement out of the corner of my eye while I was reading, but thought I was being paranoid. Then a few minutes later a rather large spider ran right in front of the TV so I couldn't miss it I managed to hoover it up rather than having to call for help like the last two times but I miss the 1 inch spiders I used to be scared of - they were eaten by the bigger ones that I'm still scared of...).

Nothing like a be-dewed or be-frosted web outside, though - beautiful patterns glinting in the light indeed, shown off to perfection in black and white

Thanks

Yes the webs are lovely. The central one is my favourite, but the close up of the spider is impressive too.

Thanks mvp

Have the same problem. Where we used to live, these bloody great house spiders would suddenly come scuttling out from between your legs. One year I trapped eleven. I blame the turning of pasture land into barley and wheat fields, behind our estate. A few seasons back it was a very good year for them and their exoskeletons couldn't cope, so the growth spurt led to severely elongated legs: the window cleaner freaked out about near the bedroom window. When I looked, I could see why. It's body could fit its cubby hole but not the legs

It gave a new meaning to the term grow-tesque

Great shots,FWR. Lovely webs especially with dew but I am vaguely alarmed by the artists.

Cute little things!

" One year I trapped eleven."

I'm up to four so far this year Again I thought I was being paranoid when I saw a blob out of the corner of my eye that wasn't there when I turned round, then later I was at the computer and noticed it sitting next to me on the floor This one had a strong grip, so I had to chase it round the computer for several minutes but I managed to get it in the hoover eventually This is one way to treat mild arachnophobia...

That reminds me of once when I came downstairs and saw something on one of the dog beds. Not having my glasses on, I squinted and moved in closer. A mistake that thankfully I haven't repeated but I have repeated several others by default.

I try not to kill them myself, preferring to put a glass tumbler over the top of them and then a cardboard coaster underneath, dumping them as far away from the house as possible