Barn Spider

Description:

Also called the "Barn Spider". This is a member of the orb weaver family.

Notes:

Found this beauty on my way off to college in the early morning. My presence startled it, causing it to jump and jolt, shaking its web. This is typical behavior for this species, an attempt to appear threatening to ward off predators. Unfortunately, its web had been attached to the mirror of my car overnight, so I had to partially knock it down to drive off, but I didn't feel too bad, since this species is known to build a bran new web every evening, taking it down and hiding away in the mornings.