This rather large female Hawaiian garden spider (Argiope appensa) had spun a web in a place where I was able to gain decent access to it, so I decided to take photos from front and back and both sides.
The top pose is the one I see most often, with the spider perched on the underside of her web. The back view is the most striking, with its jewel-like top side of the abdomen. The two side views show how gently the spider sits on her nest.
A couple of days later, I saw this same spider on her web with the jeweled back catching the sun. I must have got a bit too close because in an instant the spider was on the other side of the web, underside toward me. I’m still not certain how she made such an instantaneous transition, whether it was through a hole in the web or zipping around the edge, but it was faster than my eye could record.
Graham's Island 
Pingback: Hawaiian garden spiders face off | Graham's Island
Pingback: The next generation of Hawaiian garden spiders | Graham's Island
It really is very beautiful!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Perhaps you saw some of these when you were here. There used to be several around the house, but not so much this last year or so.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a beautiful spider! How interesting that it nipped around to the other side of the web when you approached.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The females are like jewels while the males are tiny and a nondescript brown. I find most spiders, regardless of size, are very quick movers whether it’s after prey or dropping from a web or escaping from nosy photographers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Took a quick peek. Eew!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very brave, Nancy!
LikeLike