I almost had one of these in my face while horse back riding a while ago. I was out on a trail alone, and was watching something on the side of the trail. I turned just in time to pull my horse out of the spider's path. My heart was racing. I have a severe case of arachnophobia. Although, I am whimsical enough to wonder if the spider went back to the other spiders to tell tales about the one that got away....

Nice photos, though, thanks for sharing.