It wasn't a leaf, it was a very large, very pretty moth, the likes of which I had never before seen.
Of course I didn't have my camera with me, so I had to hurry home to fetch it (good thing I was wearing my speedy gold sneakers).
I apologize to the photographers out there
but isn't this a fantastic moth?!
It's a luna moth.
I've learned that it lives only 7 days and is one of the largest moths in N.America
(wouldn't really want to run into one much bigger than this)
with a wingspan up to 4 1/2 inches (11.4 cm)
Just had to share this with you.
Good sighting, louciao! It looks like a ginko leaf. Do you think it was alive, or had it already lived out its little life?
ReplyDeleteHow amazing, and so big! It really does look like a leaf at first glance, and what a superb tail!! Well spotted, 99!
ReplyDeleteI have not seen one of those in a long time. They really are impressive.
ReplyDeleteThis is gorgeous - I adore moths, so mysterious.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos x
Gorgeous photo of a beautiful moth! Cool sneakers.
ReplyDeletewow, i have never known about such moths!!! so it was dead, no? and you left it there and came back with the camera? but what if it had disappeared in the meantime? i think i would have taken it with me, to avoid that risk!
ReplyDeletejann,
ReplyDeleteI think it was on its way out, just waiting for its photo op to leave for posterity. I felt blessed to find it.
Saj,
ReplyDeleteOooh, I always wanted to look like Agent 99 when I was a young teen. Wouldn't mind it now, either!
DCW,
ReplyDeleteI didn't know we had them in NB! How could one not see them more often, given their size. I guess if they're moths, they're usually out at night, blending in with the moonlit leaves.
Lulu,
ReplyDeleteGorgeous and extraordinary isn't it. I've never seen such a beautiful moth up close and personal like that. I guess with the exotic climes you've visited, you've had more encounters of the moth-eaten kind.
Merisi,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I was wearing appropriate footwear for showcasing the gorgeous moth!
Roxana,
ReplyDeleteI remember reading about this moth in a novel by Barbara Kingsolver, which took place in the U.S.A. She was quite obsessed with the creatures, understandably, I'd say. I didn't even know they existed in this part of the world so I was quite stunned when I came upon it. I DID try to pick it up to bring it home for closer study and photo making! But it was as if it was clinging to the pavement with its front legs and I didn't want to tug too hard or hurt it in any way. It seemed to be clinging to life, though not moving. I was lucky it waited for me to return with my camera. I simply had to chance it. As I was already late for supper, I didn't want to linger too long, trying to remember how the various settings on my camera work. At least I have a record of this, to me, amazing sighting.
Further confirmation that one should never leave home without a camera... but we are lucky the he-moth or she-moth (how does one know which is which ?) was patient and willing to wait as you dashed back in streaks of gold lightning to get the absent appareil photo... Nature is full of surprises, this really is a work of art with wings... and tasty eating for a toad...
ReplyDelete:-)
BrOwen,
ReplyDeleteBad toad! NO!! Hop away from my moth. And anyway, it is a BEHEMOTH!!!
A behemoth ! Ha ha ha ha ha ha !
ReplyDelete(that's me croaking with glee...)
Actually, the part where I was asking how one can tell a he-moth from a she-moth was actually a bit of a rhetorical question.
I mean, it is really rather elementary, quite obvious when you stop to think about it a moment...
The he-moth is the one with the mothballs...
Owen!
ReplyDeleteAhem!
BrO--
ReplyDeletePS. Speaking of "ahem", did you see what I said about you over at the drinks table at our sister's place?
Sorry, couldn't resist...
ReplyDelete:-)
Well, now I guess you are truly qualified as a mother...
Oh, and over at Sis's place, I hadn't, but I have now...
ReplyDeleteAHEM !
Now I'm off, mothballing myself, gotta go get my beauty sleep...
ReplyDelete:-)
Sent you a gmail with another moth...
:-)
it sounds like the moth came to meet you and also waited for you. so here: http://www.whats-your-sign.com/animal-symbolism-moth.html
ReplyDelete:)
and thank you for running for the camera and sharing the photo, i am fascinated by the green and shape and wings and that delicate and yet so bold red-brown line...
for some reason, your comment on the golden running shoes immediately brought to mind that Greek god with wings on his sandals - Hermes, the trickster, "a watcher by night" (looked him up :) - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermes)
WOW! I have never seen a moth like that. Like you, when I first glimpsed the photo, I assumed it was a leaf. Nature is magnificent, it is not?
ReplyDeleteManuela,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the link to the animal symbolism, which I read with great interest. It's one thing to recognize signs and symbols when they come to us, but quite something else to decipher their underlying meaning(s). And why a luna moth was out in the daytime presents another question to throw into the interpretation of its coming to me. Will have to ponder this for some time, I think. I like the connection you made between Hermes "a watcher by night" in connection with this luna moth. Thnnks for the insights.
Audrey,
ReplyDeleteYes, indeed, Nature is magnificent...and the best artist EVER!
Happy times ~
ReplyDeleteHow very amazing a find indeed.
ReplyDeleteMade me think about time and what to do with it. Thank you. Wishing you many such nice finds and a good new month as well.
Driftwood,
ReplyDeleteYes, but maybe not so much for the moth. Though who knows? Maybe it was as excited to see me as I was to see it. Maybe it was in a state of ecstacy. Your comment brings so much to ponder.
:-)
Robert,
ReplyDeleteYes, a good reminder that life and time are fleeting and short. But perhaps also that life sometimes has pleasant surprises for us.
It looks like an art nouveau brooch!
ReplyDeleteJenny,
ReplyDeleteIt does, doesn't it! I hadn't thought of that, but you're so right. It would make a lovely jewellery design.
Thanks for visiting!
Very cool.. and good capture. It's a fine looking creature but how could it compare with those spiffy sneakers? ;)
ReplyDeleteHilary,
ReplyDeleteThe shoes bring out the Italian in me!