I think that this is a variety of orb web spider. What a beautiful creature. They seem to be quite common in this area and can range anywhere from the size of a pinhead to the size of a 50 cent piece with various markings and colors. This spider has been building its web at the corner of my garage for much of the early spring and summer. Recently it has really started to grow. Its position seems to be the perfect place to snare insects as there is a night light about a foot away which may attract insects at night. I don't know if it is male or female. While photographing the spider with its prey I accidentally bumped the web and it promptly moved to the center of the web, perhaps safer there. It seems to stay on the door side (inside) of the web. Can anyone identify this spider?