First Nursery web 2014!!

For several years now I have been fascinated by the tiny Nursery web Pisaura mirabilis spiders that sit on the wall outside our prep room to warm up in the sun. Some years I have seen in excess of 15, other years hardly any, and last year I didn't see any at all! so I was really pleased this morning to see this lovely little male (measuring about 2.5cm) sitting in the sun.
Having seen him I quickly got a little beaker and transferred him to it so I could show you his impressive eyes and fangs!!
Nursery web spiders are common in the UK and come in a variety of colourways. The male will wrap up a fly in silk and present it to the female when he mates with her, to prevent her trying to eat him! - I am so glad I am not a spider!! They come from the same family as raft and fishing spiders. I know he is scary to some, but fascinating none the less I hope.
On a completely different note, little Tallula was 1 today bless her, that time has gone so quickly. I started blipping just after she was born, so you know what that means!!!!