The golden garden spider is a large, colorful species that is -- as it's name implies -- frequently found in gardens.   The large females (like most of these) build orb webs in low vegetation, usually with a cross- or ziz-zag shaped structure in the center called a 'stabilimentum' (visible in the upper left and right photos).   The purpose of the stabilimentum has been debated, but recently it has been found to strongly reflect in the ultraviolet spectrum and probably protects the web from bird strikes.   The spider typically hangs in the center of the web, on the stabilimentum; if annoyed, she will use her legs to rapidly shake the web back and forth (if very frightened she will drop to the ground or run into vegetation and hide).   Males are much smaller and often hang near the webs of females.   The picture below at right shows a small male in the foreground with a much bigger female lurking in the background.   These spiders were photographed in Riverside, California.