On the front porch floor, a winged beauty unknown to me. Size, very large, the book measures five inches in width. Colors, spectacular, brilliant rust and French blue, my favorites. Stripes and spots so symmetrical - perfection painted on a creature whose life is brief. Another of Nature's masterpieces.
Have you ever seen this moth? I'm thinking it's a moth and not a butterfly despite it's brilliant, beautiful colors. I've looked through several 'moth sites' on the Internet, only to discover there are thousands of beautiful winged creatures with gorgeous colors.............but I can't find this one!
From the book it flew on to my shirt, clung with thick, fuzzy, rust-hued legs, dusted me with orange fairy dust, then flew away looking like a small bird in flight. The beauty of it all in a few brief moments.
Edited: Thanks to my cherished old school friend Jean in England who found this moth here and identifed it as the Royal Walnut moth. Interesting life............glad the adult paid a visit and not the scary sounding caterpillar!! Thanks so much dear friend.
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That is a beautiful visitor you had. What an amazingly large moth! Sorry I can't help with identifying it; we don't have moths like that around here. He sure is colorful and lovely in all his (her?) striped splendor.
ReplyDeleteOh my. She's beautiful, isn't she?
ReplyDeleteHi dear! What a beauty huh? In Brazil we say that moths bring good luck. Miss you! Love, Vanessa
ReplyDeleteA moment in time beautifully captured in pictures and prose. Simply lovley Mary.
ReplyDeleteJJ
It is a Royal ( would be if on your porch!) Walnut moth see here -
ReplyDeletehttp://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species?l=3334
JJ
Beautiful photos! Love the story too!
ReplyDeleteWow! Isn't is so wonderful when something so lovely enters our day? Certainly a "magical moment", and caught so elegantly by you! Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteChris
Yup, that caterpillar does indeed sound creepy. I am not a big fan of caterpillars of any persuasion!
ReplyDeleteJanet
Such a pretty visitor, and huge.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that you captured this exquisite creature, and even more wonderful that you shared it with us.
ReplyDeleteHow exciting for you to capture this lovely moth on your camera and to sprinkle you with fairy dust, how special it that!
ReplyDeletewow, that is so neat. I think it is a moth, but oh so pretty, brave also.
ReplyDeleteNancy
Pretty neat that someone picked up on that and was able to identify it. I have seen some huge moths, but none that colorful. I looks good against the blue of that book.
ReplyDeleteQMM
Super! I'm so glad he stuck around for you to take pics!
ReplyDeleteHugs, Lisa
What a beauty, moths are my favs! xo, suzy
ReplyDeleteGreat visitor!!! Always nice to make a new friend.
ReplyDeleteHello Mary, I bet you think I have disappeared off the face of the earth. It seems like I haven't had time for anything except pulling weeds, cleaning house after the grands left Sun. and cleaning the cabin for some more company who arrived Wednesday. I have been overwhelmed this summer. One event after the other has kept me from my blogging friends. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteI love your post with the moth. How does one know a moth from a butterfly? How wonderful to have the opportunity to capture the moth before he flew away. A great post Mary.
When do you go out west? Be sure you have reservations everywhere you go. It is busy in the summer. Silly me, you are a world traveler and would know that. I hope you have a wonderful time.
Does Jasmin keep her blog going? If so I will put her on my side bar. How nice for her to have a blog.
I miss you my friend and hopefully I will have my life back soon. I have loved this summer but it is time to slow down.
Love, Jeanne
What a lovely, lovely butterfly.
ReplyDeleteYou know, only God can create them :-)