I did not even need to leave our deck to find this jumping spider lounging on the railing. Jumping spiders are distinguished by their eye pattern, two centrally located large ones, and six smaller ones distributed around the side and back of the head. They are capable of jumping several times their body length and use this athleticism to capture prey but not before attaching a silk line to secure them should they fall. Elsewhere on the deck railing, I found another spider in the middle of enjoying his dinner, possibly a tick or smaller spider. Click on the images for a larger view if you are not the sort to be creeped out by arachnids.