Argiope aurantia
Here is shot of another Argiope aurantia in the yard. This one has packaged her lunch and is getting ready to escape to her lair above the dangling web. Look just above the black mass to see her mouth and eyes. You can also easily see the web and her legs attached.
Garden Spiders often build webs in areas adjacent to open sunny fields where they stay concealed and protected from the wind. The spider can also be found along the eaves of houses and outbuildings or in any tall vegetation where they can securely stretch a web. The circular part of the female’s web may reach two feet in diameter. Webs are built at elevations from two to eight feet off the ground. (Wikipedia)
Click the image for an even closer (and scarier) view.