I think she was Araneus gemmoides, a Cat-faced Spider. Araneus gemma and A. diadematus look similar. So, yes, she’s an Orbweaver. There may be an egg sac of hatchlings in that area now. It wouldlook like a tuft of cotton. The baby spiders are freeze-resistant and can stay in the sac until Spring.
I think she was Araneus gemmoides, a Cat-faced Spider. Araneus gemma and A. diadematus look similar. So, yes, she’s an Orbweaver. There may be an egg sac of hatchlings in that area now. It wouldlook like a tuft of cotton. The baby spiders are freeze-resistant and can stay in the sac until Spring.