August 13th.  I made a lucky find on my kwanzan cherry this morning; one of those "I don't believe what I'm seeing" moments.  Nestled in the crotch of the tree beneath a single brown dead leaf was what looked like a nodule of bark...

 

...until I spied the legs.

 

 

 

 

 

Late afternoon and the spider hasn't stirred.

 

 

 

Close up of the eyes which may be useful for identification to family at least.

 

August 14th.  I lifted her leaf "umbrella" in order to get a better view of the zig-zag pattern on her abdomen.  With thanks to Juan Sanchez, I can confirm that this is the Giant Lichen Orbweaver (Araneus bicentenarius).

 

The dark spot on her abdomen, left of center, may be a problem.  She may have been parasitized.  Time will tell.