First Stab at Spider ID

I admire anyone who can overcome their arachnophobia long enough to sneak up and take a picture of the object of their fear. Tavia did just that, and went the extra mile of setting up a tripod (to control the shudders of revulsion that otherwise would have ruined the photo).

Tavia took this photo in Raymond, NH, and is looking for some identification help. I've learned quite a bit about spiders since beginning this blog, so I'll take the first stab: its an Argiope species, a female (despite not seeing an egg sac nearby). She's reaching the end of her life's tether, as evidenced by her missing leg, and by the season (all the orb weavers are now blessedly gone from my own yard).

So, arachnophiles, how did I do? Do I have just enough knowledge to get myself in trouble, but not enough to have any accuracy in my guesses?

UPDATE: Thanks to Jenny and several anonymouses and Denita, we can rest assured that this spider is indeed Argiope aurantia, a yellow garden spider or black and yellow argiope spider. Thanks to you all.