Spider

it is indeed, but my little book hasn't got this one in it. Actually it's not a species I've seen very often. Hoping Vodkaman might drop by , maybe he can ID it.

The abdomen is extraordinary, it looks like a ferocious face. It was a toss up whether to do this or one straight on to the back. It's in our garden out in the open for all passing birds to see. I think it's been there for a couple of weeks at least so the scare tactic looks as though it works.