My guess is an Orb Weaver spider.

Here is a link that might be useful: Orb Weaver

Oh my, it is spider season isn't it? I have been trying to paint my exterior trim before the rains come and it is a dance between me and the spiders. I climbed my ladder and one dropped down a few inches and spread its legs wide; I assume that was its attempt to look tough and scare me away. I watched another spin its web one day. Such an exercise in precision and perseverance. I have to draw the line at the webs that span my front entrance, however.

They are amazing, but I bet you're happy you don't have to deal with this while house painting.;-)

Here is a link that might be useful: Spider web in Texas

Great Caesar's Ghost, that's a web! Even though these local spiders are comparatively wee, i certainly wouldn't want to be surprised by one while on a ladder.

The ones around here do have a white stripe, but it doesn't really look like a cross to me ... i'll have to try to get a better photograph. Alas, my camera is without a clearly discernible "spider" setting ... :)

Yeah, ladders and being surprised probably aren't a good combo. There are quite a few different species, so maybe you can find yours in the BugGuide.

Here is a link that might be useful: BugGuide

We just call them "garden spiders" here...My granddaughter who's 4 LOVES to feed them...She puts bugs on their webs and watches them "wrap their dinner".

Knotz, how adorable that your granddaughter isn't one of those squealy-eek-there's-a-spider-kill-it-kill-it kind of children! Speaks well of her influences ...

I'm convinced they're orb weavers. I'll try my best not to disturb them or accidentally snag their webs. Thanks for the links and guidance all!

Yes, we have them all over our yard as well. A few weeks ago we had quite a bug explosion, and then the spider explosion quickly followed suit. Personally, I don't mind as long as they don't eat the plants! :)

Do your spiders look like this?

backside
{{gwi:1090161}}

side view
{{gwi:1090163}}

What magnificent photographs!!! Gorgeous. Just gorgeous ...

Yes, that's the one ... :)

They are harmless orb weavers. My garden is full of them. I am happy to see them knowing how many bugs they are eating. DH feeds them too.

I saw on a local tv show that the extension office is being besieged with phone calls about them this year.

I have to walk through our woods with a stick in front of me to keep the webs off my face this time of year, because they're so thick. I do find some interesting specimens.

I tried my best to raise my daughters to not be afraid of them, but peer pressure won.

LOL I'm glad I'm not the only one carrying aroung a stick or sometimes a broom! Those were outstanding photos alathia! I have LOTS of them around my garden! Spiders that is not photos :-)

Thanks for the info. We are also feeding one in the garage and it catches the little flying critters that hang out on the propagation trays.

I am happy to hear that they are harmless and now have to look for another source for some of the bites on my arms. LOL Funny but I just noticed that the pest companies are now running ads to kill spiders along with other bugs.

Great photos!!!!
sps

Now, if we could only breed a spider that ate slugs, we'd be on to something!

And speaking of juggling pianos....

The "wolf" spider in our studio last night looked big enough to juggle a pregnant hippopotamus. It was way up on the wall, close to the ceiling, and I only noticed it because it CAST A SHADOW on my computer screen. Brrrrrr.

Logically, I understand that it (he?) is harmless (beneficial, really) and only looking for love at this time of year. Unfortunately, logic lost out to squealy -- eek emotion and spidey Romeo found not his Juliette counterpart but the largest book I could grab, hastily thrown.

Your Penitent,

Rain

Outside, not a problem. Inside? Well then, situational ethics apply. Sheriff mom had to recently settle a standoff in the hallway between phobic daughter and shadowthrowing spider. Upended drinking glass and paper slid under opening resulted in nonfatal disposition. The one crawling on her in the moving car? Dead as dead gets.

"Situational ethics." Oooh, I like that! Mind if I borrow the phrase, Digdig?

Covetously,

Rain

I have lots of those stripy legged spiders this year too. They are busy decorating my yard for Halloween.

Does anyone else remember a product called the Bug Stick? I got one from the Vermont Country Store for my MIL who was terrified of spiders. It was basically a shower poof (ladies, you'll know what I'm talking about here) & a simple PVC plunger mechanism. You could pick up an insect in the soft net poof & release it unharmed outdoors. A very simple, ingenious invention. Probably saved a lot of spider lives, but it seems to have disappeared from the market.