Way up at the top of a tree, by the creek
Near (and in) a little stream and pond. This was at a wildflower preserve (gray area between an undisturbed habitat & a botanical garden), so the original population may or may not have been natural, but it was certainly thriving.
Large spider -- body (not including appendages) 10-11 mm. Best viewed large. Sunning quietly on a tree trunk in spring. ID based on bugguide.net/node/view/13511/bgpage (same individual).
This male Bronze Jumping Spider was working hard at hauling its prey up the outside of a drainspout at the back of the visitor center, near where we had our picnic lunches.
www.flickr.com/photos/anitagould/3575242396/ is a female -- also with prey, albeit much smaller.
I think probably an immature of the Fishing Spider -- big adult seen on tree tree trunk in same general vicinity, and this little one was found on a Marsh Marigold near the water & matches bugguide.net/node/view/84447 in appearance & choice of hangout.
With something ... maybe it's a smaller spider taken as prey? Or could it be one of her own spiderlings? www.flickr.com/photos/anitagould/3574434029/ shows it better.
www.flickr.com/photos/anitagould/3591158598/ is a male.
