Is the a fact?

[John 2]

Came out to meet me one day and I persuaded it to pose for a bit of fun (no spiders were harmed in making this image).

[Kaye Leggett]

Great image and what a great spider - he's not British is he ??

[Shadowman]

Nice.

[bnnrcn]

I like it

[fotugraphy]

It is really good one.

[ClaudioG]

Very cool John, i like it all

[Geoff F]

Great image and what a great spider - he's not British is he ??

Not certain from that angle but she rather looks like one of the Tegenaria species which abound in most UK houses. Quite large and can vary in colour between dark brown and black depending on the light etc.

They look scary but are harmless to humans. Although there is a new arrival which is spreading and can be a problem if handled.

[deetheturk]

Nice capture John,well done bud!

[Colin Southern]

Hi John,

Nice photo, but I'm struggling to understand your thread title. Did you mean to write "Is that a Fact?"?

[Stagecoach]

That's some pretty good spider training to get him to stop right there, clever shot

Grahame

[Ken Curtis]

Very creative idea. Well done.

[IzzieK]

You beat me to it, Ken...yes it is very creative of John 2 to invite that spider in his dictionary page...

[Rita]

I don't like spiders one bit but I sure like your pic .

[Loose Canon]

Now that's good John!

Irony so thick you could cut it with a knife!

[John 2]

Thanks for a great set of comments all.
Grahame, it was surprisingly easy to take this. I was working in the garage one day and I had already prepared the quote on a piece of A4 in anticipation of seeing one of these spiders. They usually come in for a warm as Autumn draws in. I caught her in a jar when she (thank you Geoff) ran across my workbench. I set up with a couple of clip on reading lights and the idea was to tip her gently out and fire the camera by remote to grab the shot. Surprisingly, apart from trying to crawl back into the jar, once she was out on the paper, she stood still for about half a minute. Not moving must be a survival mechanism - Geoff?? I was able to take several shots and had time to check focus and DOF etc. She then scuttled off and continued her journey.

Definitely British Kaye. Not sure she's taken the oath of allegiance though. Wouldn't know which hand to hold up.

Geoff, what's this new arrival. Don't like the sound of that.

Colin (eagle eyes), you're right of course. Definite finger trouble with the title.

[Geoff F]

The questionable spider, with regard to biting, is Tegenaria agrestis which has been commonly named the Aggressive House Spider. Up to 15 mm body length.

It came here from North America but I don't think it is a native of that country. Although the original home is uncertain.

If I remember correctly, agrestis means agricultural or rural so it wasn't originally an inside living beast. But the colder weather of northern climes has forced them indoors.

Gradually moving northwards since the 1960's. But not normally a problem as long as it isn't handled. Like the Steatoda spiders (too often wrongly called False Black Widows) which are widespread in the south and spreading. I have them in my greenhouse. If only I could train them to eat slugs and snails as well as greenfly!

Insects standing still while they assess the situation and relying on not moving, which will draw attention to them, is quite common. I often find this when photographing insectlife.

As long as they see me looking at them they will often temporarily 'freeze'. Too often, I find this can also be a problem when I wander slightly away from my camera, which is waiting on a tripod, while I am searching for more 'models'. They see me, and I see them, so they don't move.

But as soon as I move my gaze to pick up the camera, they will scarper!

[John 2]

Thanks again Geoff. Looked it up and I think I have seen something similar but I don't recall the very distinctive pattern on its back (I bet it's not called it's back).

[IzzieK]

Geoff -- that is very interesting to say the least...I thank you too for the added info...