Argiope in the field

Today was a very strange day outdoors. The morning dawned chilly, mid-50s chilly, and no sooner did it warm up than the sky clouded over and the chill returned. I hate to admit it, but it felt like the beginning of fall. And when I got out for my walk, it looked like fall. As if to confirm that assessment, I discovered the season's first Black and Yellow Garden Spider. The female Argiope aurantia—the male is much smaller and more drab—is a spectacular creature whose web skills—well, web-making skills—are the stuff of weaving legend. Every day she builds an exquisite web, and every night she eats it then starts anew the next day with recycled silk. These beautiful arachnids have been in the fields for at least a month, but I don't start to notice them until mid-to-late August, and especially throughout September, when they get to be full adult size, which is at least a couple of inches long, end to end. At that point, you can't miss them. This one seems not to have missed dinner.