[Scott from the Left Coast]

When I was in Texas (late 80's) for six months, I visited a fellow who had one of those Yellow Garden Spiders as a pet -- it lived in a corner of the eaves by the garage. It was huge, but spectacular in coloring (the yellow). He lived near Travis Lake.

[Professional Engineer]

I know of two around the house. One has staked out an area in the planting beds in front of the house. The other one likes a corner of the garden in back. The webs are about 2~3 feet across. Spiders are cool and creepy at the same time.

[msdrby]

The garden spiders are quite impressive. We had one, maybe two of them last year in the garden (duh - *garden* spider), and at least one more in plants/shrubs in the front yard.

I think elf-boy did get a close up on one, but was safely behind the picket fence. I remember spraying s little water on its web, and watching to see if it would move. They do get pretty big when well fed!