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Raft spider hatchlings (Dolomedes fimbriatus) at nest site. Arne, Dorset, UK. More baby raft spiders! Hundreds in this tightly packed ball by the water's edge. Each individual a little over 2mm long.

Raft spider (Dolomedes fimbriatus) with predated damselfly. Arne, Dorset, UK. A strange amalgam of arachnid and odonata confronted me at the pond today. Raft spiders are famous for ambushing their prey on the water but this one had staked out the pond-side heather instead. With thanks to Rob for...

Nest of raft spider (Dolomedes fimbriatus) hatchlings. Arne, Dorset, UK. Hundreds of them in this bundle. Not sure what explains the unearthly blue glow.

Young raft spider afloat. Arne, Dorset, UK. 05/08/11.

Female raft spider carries her egg sac beneath her body. Arne, Dorset, UK. She will carry the egg sac for 2-3 weeks, dipping it in the water to keep it moist until the young spiders hatch. I almost trod on her, which would have been awful. Watch your feet around the pond borders folks!

Female raft spider (Dolomedes fimbriatus) guards her lair against the advances of a male suitor. Shed exoskeleton behind her I think. Arne, Dorset, UK. 23/04/11. With thanks to Paul!

Male raft spider cautiously approaches a larger female. Discarded exoskeleton behind. 22/04/11.

I had heard of these, but not seen one. Thanks to a kind couple we met by the small pond on Coombe Heath, we were introduced to them. What a gorgeous species of spider. Great hunters as well. I watched this female take something as I was snapping, and got home to find one blurred image of the spider...

Lichen crab spider (Philodromus margaritatus) at Arne, Dorset, UK. 24/02/11.