Phidippus clarus jumping spider Photography by Kozmic Dreams

My Digital Photography of

the jumping spider,

Phidippus clarus

The following jumping spiders were photographed in the Metro-Detroit area. Photographs are sorted so that most recent photos are at the top of the page.

"Courtney"

July 14, 2022

Courtney was just sitting on the gate that is part of the metal fencing around Lyle's yard. It sure is a good thing I was looking when I reached for the gate. I didn't expect to see a spider hanging out there, let alone one of this species. I'm not sure if this one is a male or a young female. It definitely has a much smaller and pointier abdomen than Clara below.

"Clara"

July 21, 2019

I haven't seen a spider of this species since I found "Tufts" in 2007. I found Clara in a very unexpected place---in my succulent and moss garden that surrounds the base of a sugar maple tree. From what I've read, they are supposed to inhabit "old fields." There are no old fields around my neighborhood, so I have no idea how she got there. Following her photo shoot, I thought about releasing her in the actual flower garden, which seemed like more appropriate living conditions, but I also read that they find their way around to their nests by sight. I figured it would be best to just put her back where I found her even though it was such an odd location that did not contain the tall plants from which these spiders supposedly prefer to stalk their prey. Clara was photographed on mat board, unknown seed pods, unknown annual flowers and Nigella damascena. She was very friendly and had no qualms about crawling right into my hand multiple times while I placed her on different backgrounds.