I believe this is a spider of the genus Argiope. There have been three or four living on my yard since this summer. This one is eating a grasshopper and let me get very close to take this picture. I guess either they have terrible eyesight or don't mind having their picture taken (or both). Perhaps you don't need good eyesight to catch food with a web, as these do. I've noticed that jumping spiders (who do not use webs) behave as if they have very good eyesight. If you get close, they will sometimes watch you. If you move, their gaze follows.