Hi Molly,

The photo is too fuzzy to do a good identification. I suspect the spider was an orb weaver, common garden spiders that are active now. They can be big and look intimidating but are harmless.

Here's a link to photos of some of the orb spiders that live around here:

https://spiderid.com/locations/united-states/minnesota/

Sorry I can't be more definitive.

Hi Molly,

Another Master Gardener saw this question and thinks it is a shamrock orbweaver. Here's what he said:

I think that this is a Shamrock Orbweaver (Araneus trifolium). One of its distinguishing characteristics is a yellow abdomen on the dorsal side. See:

http://www.minnesotaseasons.com/Arachnids/shamrock_orbweaver.html

https://bugguide.net/node/view/829939

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Araneus_trifolium - :~:text=The bite of a shamrock,comparable to a bee sting.

Its bite can be painful but not life-threatening.