That is one of the most unusual spiders I have ever seen. Great photo, excellent clarity!

What a strange looking creature, where did you find it?

Wow! And I do mean Wow!

Thank you all!
Friiskiwi: I have wondered my yard since the contest came out just looking for spiders, they are usually everywhere. After 2 days I had given up but decided to try again yesterday, I walked my entire yard and found nothing until the very last corner, I actually looked up and said to myself "forget it" and there he was hanging between my house and storage shed about 5 feet above me! I was thrilled at his coloring and fascinated by his beauty! And he was so cooperative too!

Much as I never thought I'd say it for a critter like this, well... this is a very nice spider

I saw a lot of these in Cuba, I agree the weirdest spiders I ever saw.
If you touch their web, where they spend most of the time sitting in the middle, they spin around like mad.
I guess the spikes put the gecko's off eating them, and the giant (by UK standards) toads that came out at night.

What a strange shaped spider! Very interesting

fantastic.....

What a shame you cropped his legs, guess he was as afraid of you as you were of him.

Love them eyes tho!

What a fascinating photo! I've seen many egg sacs, but never a protective silk canopy like this. Wonderful find, high mark from me!

Thank you very much. I watched this everyday until the babies were born. Got a couple shots of them but small file. This was actually featured in nat geo daily dozen too. Cant remember when though. Lol

Wow, it's really cool shot. I can imagine how protective the mama spider to keep all of her children safe and sound. Also love the face of the spider itself. It looks like she is wearing goggles on her face Will it be her another trick to use infrared spy gadget at night to avoid any ambush attack ? lol - nice shot

love her goggles

Very interesting shot. I've never seen that before either. Thanks for sharing

As usual..wonderful. You have to send this to some magazine or something. It's that good.

This is just so very beautiful.

lovly

Now, there is a cute little spider.

Nice captured!

Very nice. I like the color and composition on this one

thanks friends.