No Date, The Male Side of the Story - _TNY_4823
It was a pretty slow day out with the camera at Åva-Stensjödal in Tyresta National Park when I spotted something very small moving. Closing in I discovered a male v-fronted jumper (Aelurillus v-insignitus)!
This is a small species, but the males are possibly the prettiest jumpers in Sweden. The Swedish name "vinkelhoppspindel" translates into "angle jumping spider" and is named so because of that distinct V-shape on the head of the male.
I followed him around for a bit, but couldn't seem to get a good shot as he kept looking down all the time - just like here.
Then I lost sight of him and while frantically scrambling to reaquire my target I came across this female instead! Then I found the male again like a meter away from her and I began hoping for a chance to see his courting behaviour. He wasn't closing in though - but then I spotted a second male. Alright, some posturing and waving to determine who was the coolest wold be just as cool as him trying to impress the lady.
The stars never aligned though and even though I stayed there for way longer than my knees liked they just jumped around quite close to each other but there was no interaction.
I got a couple of good shots of them though - here's one of the female: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/50835769852/
No Date, The Male Side of the Story - _TNY_4823
It was a pretty slow day out with the camera at Åva-Stensjödal in Tyresta National Park when I spotted something very small moving. Closing in I discovered a male v-fronted jumper (Aelurillus v-insignitus)!
This is a small species, but the males are possibly the prettiest jumpers in Sweden. The Swedish name "vinkelhoppspindel" translates into "angle jumping spider" and is named so because of that distinct V-shape on the head of the male.
I followed him around for a bit, but couldn't seem to get a good shot as he kept looking down all the time - just like here.
Then I lost sight of him and while frantically scrambling to reaquire my target I came across this female instead! Then I found the male again like a meter away from her and I began hoping for a chance to see his courting behaviour. He wasn't closing in though - but then I spotted a second male. Alright, some posturing and waving to determine who was the coolest wold be just as cool as him trying to impress the lady.
The stars never aligned though and even though I stayed there for way longer than my knees liked they just jumped around quite close to each other but there was no interaction.
I got a couple of good shots of them though - here's one of the female: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/50835769852/