Time flies with the Four o’Clock Moth

21. May 2010, 2:08 pmAnimal Antics, In the Garden, Painting, Rainforest, Small WorldCindy5 comments

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Watercolour study of Dysphania fenestrata  (ACEO size 2.5 x 3.5 inches)

One thing I miss about FNQ are the flamboyant, even gawdy, butterflies and moths that are everywhere. The Four o’Clock Moth was one of my favourites. Named as it usually appears late afternoon, it is one of the very few FNQ moths that flies during daylight hours.

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This fellow was in no hurry to leave me – he just didn’t fly anywhere, even though his wings seemed in perfect shape.. He just hung around for days, so in the end I fed him nectar from a little dish which he sucked up with gusto.

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The colouring of this moth is just awesome. Tiny scales shimmering and glittering in the late afternoon light kept me fascinated for ages – what do they say about shiny things and small minds….

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His wings are translucent in the white patches – letting subdued sunlight shine through onto the leaf below. Just gorgeous!

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I think I’ve written about this little guy before on the old blog. I did manage to grab screen shots from the old Bigblog before it was turned off – when I have time I’ll process them all and upload them retrospectively. Could be a long wait – there was a LOT of blogging back then!

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5 comments:

  1. diane, 22. May 2010, 11:28

    Amazing sequence of shots. It is almost too beautiful to be a moth.

     
  2. Karen Hull, 23. May 2010, 6:56

    This is a gorgeous moth Cindy – there certainly is no shortage of fascinating creatures where you live – birds, animals, reptiles and insects – you have them all, and you photograph them beautifully!!!

     
  3. Cindy, 24. May 2010, 13:54

    Hi Diane,

    Lots of things went in the “Too Beautiful” category in FNQ. “Beautiful but Deadly” was another popular category!

    Hi Karen,

    Yes I was constantly consumed with the wildlife up there. Also, pursued, bitten, attacked etc etc. All fun though!

     
  4. Brenda, 26. May 2010, 22:19

    Great shots, such beauty, it’s wonderful that you pay attention and capture it on film :-)

    And thank you for your generous and encouraging words on my complete abstract I appreciate it so much.

     
  5. TL, 23. July 2011, 16:01

    we have about 18 on a tree in our front yard just about ready to go into pupee stage, can’t wait tosee them change and turn into these beautiful moths over the next 7 days or so

     

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