Wolff Spider

At first I was convinced this was a wolf spider. We tend to get 'em out on our woodsy deck about this time of year. I'd seen his/her web develop over the last couple of days, but didn't see the creature itself till I gazed out there in the low afternoon light, when the web was practically glowing.

After looking up "wolf spider" on Google, I'm less convinced it's a wolf spider, but since Mr. Wolff here agreed to be in some of my shots, I can, with confidence, call it a Wolff spider.
Whatever it is, it's beautiful. Not that I want it, say, on my lapel. But it gorgeous all the same. If you're the kind of person who loathes spiders -- well, you're probably not still reading. But if you like to gaze at spiders and want a closer look, click on the pictures.