[B-Chan]

Looks like a marbled orb weaver, Araneus marmoreus — a common garden spider here in Texas. Scary as hell, but harmless, and terrified of people. They eat tons and tons of pests every year, though. Just be careful when walking down an okra row — their M.O. is to spin a huge web between okra stalks and you can walk into it (and her) face-first if you're not paying attention. I almost did so once when I was a kid. Scared me silly!

As I said: creepy and unpleasant-looking, but definitely on the team.

[sam_paine]

I get quite a few of those in the woods here. I always ‘clear the path’ with a stick as I walk between close trees, as have walked into entirely too many of those damn things! I’m certain I scared the bejeezus out of them, too!

The other ones I get are what I’ve hear dcalled “wolf spiders” or hobo spiders....not sure which they are.

The get pretty damn big.

And I’ve had one tarantula wander into the shop.

But I like the little furry garden spiders. They just hop up on you and check things out....no big deal. Until you say ‘boo’ and they totally freak out and try to hide. lol.

So some spiders freak me out, and some don’t ‘bug’ me at all.