Mitten-shaped leaves on sassafras saplings, with selective filter application to bring out the Daddy Long-legs Spider on the brown leaf at the bottom center of the picture.

Cobblers Knob, Hidden Lake Gardens,
Lenawee County, Michigan
September 27, 2011
Thanks to Ethan Winning for the identification of this as a "Daring Jumping Spider".  Once I knew what this was, I looked up more info about it online.  It's also known as a Bold Jumping Spider, and carries the binomial name Phidippus audax.  The bright green features aren't eyes, but structures called 'chelicerae', which are appendages for grasping or crushing.  Pretty showy for such a practical purpose.  They are typically 13 - 20 mm long, according to Wikipedia, i.e. approx 1/2" - 4/5" long.

One of the things I love about the smugmug community is the willingness of members to help other users.  I doubt I'd ever have been able to identify this on my own.  So thanks again to Ethan.

Original description:  Furry spider with green eyes and a yellow spot on its back.  My recollection is that the spider was approx. 1" long, or maybe less.

Seen in early October in central Missouri.
(Read about this in my blog at:  
http://lettersandlight.wordpress.com/2011/06/17/series-connecting-with-viewers/ )
Mitten-shaped leaves on sassafras saplings, with selective filter application to bring out the Daddy Long-legs Spider on the brown leaf at the bottom center of the picture.

Cobblers Knob, Hidden Lake Gardens,
Lenawee County, Michigan
September 27, 2011
Mitten-shaped leaves on sassafras saplings, with selective filter application to bring out the Daddy Long-legs Spider on the brown leaf at the bottom center of the picture.

Cobblers Knob, Hidden Lake Gardens,
Lenawee County, Michigan
September 27, 2011
Mitten-shaped leaves on sassafras saplings, with selective filter application to bring out the Daddy Long-legs Spider on the brown leaf at the bottom center of the picture.

Cobblers Knob, Hidden Lake Gardens,
Lenawee County, Michigan
September 27, 2011
See photo in original gallery.