This spider has a web behing the bushes (some sort of trimmed evergreen that came with the house) near the door and ending next to the door frame. So far I haven't been able to identify it. If I go by the door and come back a minute later it is usually gone, so I don't think its aggressive.
is this your spider?
http://bugguide.net/node/view/141968
It looks similar, but I am not sure. The legs look to have more dark color on mine, and the pattern on the body looks slightly different to me, but I could be overthinking individual variations. I took a few more pictures. See if you think that is it. It may be, since it is cwertainly closer than anything else I have seen.
Another pic
I'm going to agree with the ID given. Color variablility(i.e. darker or lighter)due to the age of the spider is common.
ok - thank you both.
