True spider ID

[Margot J]

Hello! This winter has been very mild for where I am and I have been seeing a lot of spiders. This big (probably 3 cm or so) guy/gal was on my doorstep, and its orange color caught my eye. It looks like a wolf spider to me but it could be something else (I need to study more).
Photo was taken in the evening and zoomed in, sorry for the bad quality.

Thanks!

 

[chanda]

That is a Nursery Web Spider (Pisauridae) - probably Pisaurina mira.

Compare to this one: https://bugguide.net/node/view/1468744/bgimage or this one: https://bugguide.net/node/view/777578/bgim

 

[Margot J]

Thank you!

 

[The Snark]

Pisauridae have such an endearing trait. Ordinarily very skittish and run-for-cover, the mom will usually guard and defend that nursery like a tiger. A complete personality reversal.