Golden orb weaver

This morning my wife beckoned me to come out on the back porch to welcome a newly arrived guest at our Florida jungle outpost. During the overnight hours a beautiful Golden orb weaver (Argiope aurantia) had spun a most delicately graceful web above the barbecue prep table.

According to my trusty copy of The Golden Guide to Spiders: "Argiopes are large, conspicuous spiders that hang head down in the center of the web. The web usually has crossed zigzag bands, and the young spiders may construct more zigzags than the adults. Some species are easily recognized by their color and pattern. Species of Argiope are found in tropical and temperate regions."

Now to find something to feed this hungry girl.......