Before getting to our regularly scheduled post, what the heck is with pool cleaning? I don’t own a pool but my spam trap is filled daily with stuff from pool cleaners.
So my friend Anita and I were driving down a dirt road in Northern Maine last June when she called out to stop. Anita is an amazing spotter. Now, we were going fairly slow, but still to spot this from a moving vehicle is pretty amazing.
Yeah, it looks gigantic, but it is only about an inch long. What was amazing besides her spotting abilities was that it is not covered in dirt road dust. Moths can be a great subject…many just sit there thinking, in a sense I guess, that if they won’t move they can’t be seen. This is not a case of good camouflage….but this is…
I spotted that one while roaming around in Quabbin. But here is another of Anita’s finds, again from a vehicle on the same dirt road and probably 20 feet from the road.
Stephen Gingold Nature Photography Blog 
Wonderful nature!
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Thank you, Bente.
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It’s amazing how some people can see these things and we mere mortals can’t. I am good at detecting tiny movements but that’s about – and usually it’s wind (not mine).
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I am most glad to hear that your wind is not the cause for visions, Andrew.
A lot of time it is mere luck. Or boredom. Or plain inquisitiveness. When I am on the local rail trail, people sometimes are a bit worried when they see me walking the trail staring at tree bark, leaves or the ground. I am sure they figure there is nothing to see and I am about to let loose with some insane diatribe about the world and the heavens. 🙂
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I definitely need a spotter like that! I have this sinking feeling that all the critters are chuckling just after I pass by. Great post.
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Thanks, Lyle. She and Mark Picard used to live locally and her abilities provided a lot of photography opportunities for us. Now they are in Maine with the moose having all the fun and I have to fend for myself. 🙂
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What amazing vision to spot the moth from a car! Wonderful photographs again. The texture on the moth is quite amazing.
Do you like toad-in-the-hole by any chance?
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Thanks, Rod. I had to look that up, but it sounds yummy. I like pigs in blankets, so I am sure I would like toad-in-the-hole. 🙂
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Wow. Everyone needs a friend like Anita. I am good at spotting birds and hearing their calls or songs. Being able to enjoy nature as you do and those of us that “follow” your blog, is the fact that we are able to stop, be motionless, and not say a word. That is how one can apprecaite nature and all of its treasures. And there is so much to be enjoyed and savored. Oh yes, the moth is beautful and the frog really knows how to become invisible.
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Yep, she is amazing. That’s the trick…stop and look…smelling the roses or whatever is cool too. 🙂 Thanks, Yvonne. I hope that storm did not cause you much harm. It sure did wreak havoc in many places and is headed towards us for tomorrow but just as heavy rain.
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No icy rain or sleet in my area of central Texas. Just really cold rain and windy at times. I am about 100 miles south of Dallas and 100 miles north of Austin.
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I am glad that you weren’t subject to the worst of it, Yvonne. You gave me a chuckle…if I were100 miles north of something and 100 miles south of something else I would not be in Massachusetts any more. 🙂
We will see the storm tomorrow but just as rain and lots of it. Kind of odd that the south got all the snow and ice and New England won’t.
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That pink moth is truly an amazing critter Steve!
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I’ve seen this species a few times, Phil. Each time is a delight.
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What a great pink moth that one in the first two photographs is. Can you send me one so I can photograph it too?
You camouflage photos are as good as the camouflage itself.
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Maybe next year, Steve. They are not too common around here right now. The Rosy Maple moth is one of my favorites. A friend once described it as a blonde wearing a cape.
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Wow, moth and rust dost not corrupt you, they make your talents shine. Beautiful micros of the pink one. I don’t know how you saw some of the others.
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Thanks for the greetings and the comments, David.
While I enjoy landscapes and feel the greatest pleasure from capturing one well, it seems I see the smaller features of our planet better. The majority of my successful images are either closeups or intimates. I find the lesser noticed critters to be fascinating even as others find them unappealing as in bugs and beetles. When the opportunity arises, I try to share some of the attractive features of the under-appreciated members of our world.
A very Happy Thanks giving to you and all my friends here on the blog and elsewhere on the net. And Happy November 28th to those who don’t share our holiday. 🙂
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Oh, and I meant to wish you Happy Thanksgiving!
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The pink Lady is amazing – good you had such a good spotter for company 🙂 Great job, both of you 🙂
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Thanks, Sandra. It is a treat riding around with Anita…although tough on the brakes. 🙂
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The Rosy Maple is so beautiful, and so are the images. Can I borrow Anita?
I finally got some frost last Saturday…
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Thanks, Tom. Yep, Saturday was the day for ice and frost. It was 10°F here for much of the morning. I’ll post one from Saturday next up.
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Today was OK, but Saturday was much better. I have one from Satuday on my blog now…
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I’m not sure who is more amazing, Anita and her bionic eyesight or the Lady Gaga-esque moth. They are both superb! Fabulous photographs, Steve. Really fantastic!
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As much as I love the moth, I think Anita gets the nod as this is only the tip of the iceberg of her finds. Thank you very much, Lottie. I hope the settling is getting settled. 🙂
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Fantastic – I’ve always wanted to see one of those “Rosy’s” but l only saw them in books. Beautiful photo! Great post!
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Thanks, Lynn. I have been fortunate to have seen a few over the years.
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