Mick, I have a lot of respect and admiration for spiders too - even more so recently when i heard there is now scientific proof that they have a *laboratory confirmed* genuine sixth sense (we always knew that tho i guess didnt we - ie *you know who* spider senses tingling! hehe) the only creature known with these uniuqe ability i beleive - I dont like white tails much - they are the exception to me. evil little baskets
BUT I do reserve the right to scream like a girl if I find a spider on my person
With the illumination for macro problem - i have seen a mylar?/silver car steering wheel/windscreen sun cover thingys used a diffuse mirror, reflecting the sunlight onto the subject? Might work
Cheers
Fringey
BUT