For the sake of arachno-squeamish readers, I’ve begun this post with a photo of my Hibiscus moscheutos — reblooming!
But the lovely lady pictured below made my whole summer when she appeared in the side yard last week. She’s an Argiope aurantia, commonly called a black and yellow garden spider, and the first I’ve ever had in my own yard. She’s somewhat small, only about an inch long in body, but I love that she’s out in her web during the day, which means I get to see her as I come and go.
(As I write this, I’ve been watching a Neoscona sp. outside the living room window. It’s overcast today and she’s repairing holes in her web in anticipation of better hunting this evening.)
Wishing you the joy of whatever is on display in the gardens around you!
The Daily Compost 
I have no joy in spiders, but my late (recently deceased) father-in-law spent a lot of time watching them from his recliner beside the window. He was 92 years old, and he loved nature. He would count the leaves on the tree that grew in the center of his front yard!
Counting the leaves – what a lovely meditative practice. My condolences for your loss. It sounds like your father-in-law was a special person. Thank you for telling me about him. 🙂
Thank you, Jennifer.