As soon as I did so a large moth erupted out of nowhere and battered itself around the illuminated ceiling for a while like a deranged squash ball until it tired itself out, or perhaps concussed itself, upon which it decided to chill out on the wooden stairs.
Although it wasn't putting them out on display, this was the inevitable large yellow underwing; the most common moth of late summer and autumn it seems to dominate traps to the point of annoyance at this time of year, and is renowned for being driven batty by lights.
This specimen decided to sit nice and still for a few minutes to allow me to take a few close up photographs, and as I did so, I realised that the moth had the face of an owl! A short eared owl perhaps, with a wonderfully expressive face. I wonder if the moth is as smart however, or as good at catching voles.
Oh moth, why are so many people afraid of you!
Si
All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 10.09.15
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| I saw a moth |
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| WHERE? |
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| THERE! There on the stair |
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| A little moth with an owl face, going clip-clippety-clop on the stairs |
Si - I have a real phobia about moths, but I love them in photographs and these are amazing. Also I love that expression potter and tic - I have never heard it before although I used to live only about twenty miles from Newark
ReplyDelete"Potter and tic" is of my own coinage - tic referring to my Tourettes!
ReplyDeleteThese pictures make this poor moth look a touch cockroachey, for which I apologise to it
Great images of the moth Simon - love the idea of the owl face :) Must admit at this time of the year I can get rather tired of them as I get dozens and dozens in the moth trap!
ReplyDelete