What the heck is this thing?

[billyb]

yeah nothin special but i would like to know what it is

 

[CopperInMyVeins]

It's an Orb Weaver (Araneus spp.) that's as far as my ID can go though.

 

[Arachnophilist]

most likey just a color morph of Araneus diadematus.. been a few people posting about that spider. I have one outside mt front door

 

[NRF]

I think it is one of the creatures called "barn spider", and I think the scientific name for this barn spider is Neoscona crucifer [=N. hentzi] (Araneus cavaticus seems also to be called "barn spider"). A little confusing.
At least it's not Araneus diadematus.

 

[NRF]

And here is a good link...
http://www.yesnet.yk.ca/schools/wes/webquests_themes/spiders_theme/spiders_sharon_2005/daniel.jpg

 

[Arachnophilist]

could be a Great Garden Spider Eriphora transmarina.. though you may be in the wrong place for it to be one of tose! O well I tried.

 

[NRF]

There is something confusing (at least to me) with some Neoscona, Araneus cavaticus and Eriphora transmarina, not only because of the similar common name and the rather similar habitus. According to this site
Araneus cavaticus is a junior synonym of Eriphora transmarina, but according to Platnick it is still a separate species. Tell us if anyone knows more about this.

 

[NRF]

Eriphora should be Eriophora...

 

[Tegenaria]

The abdomen and shape of the legs say Crab spider to me (Thomisidae)