The males of Maratus plumosus are tiny, the one photographed was about 3.5 mm nose to tail. Features used when displaying to a female are its lateral flaps, blue leg femora, and bicoloured pedipalps, these are seen in the following greatly enlarged images.

Frontal view showing the pedipalps.

Rear view showing the lateral flaps folded.

Blue femur is visible here.

Here it is displaying with raised leg and lateral flap.

Most images will enlarge.

Another trip to the bush block to check out orchids and jumpers, but first, on the way, a walk along the creek at the riverside reserve to check things out for the upcoming working bee. Up until now jumping spiders have been conspicuous by their absence, but in the litter under a big red gum a movement betrayed a small Hypoblemum scutulatum, a nice find.

In the bush the white caladenias had proliferated even more than previously observed, and among them were a few with nice pink tonings.

The flying ducks seen in bud the first time were coming into flower too.

The walk along the track searching for jumpers had been so far unrewarding, but this character searching for ants in an old split log provided some light relief.

On the return journey it was still there and obviously had been hard at work.

The peacock jumping spider usually seen along this track is Maratus plumosus, and is most often found in the litter at the base of big trees. This is possibly because they have their retreats behind loose bark on the tree trunks. Nearly back at the vehicle with so far no luck, then a check under the second last tree before the clearing, a medium sized stringy, and success, not one but three males. This suggested that there was a female in the vicinity, and photos of one cooperative individual seemed to confirm that theory. To be continued.

Most images will enlarge.