Having no idea what I was looking at, I picked up a stick and held it close to the critter--hoping it would grab hold so I could pick it up and get a better look. When it began crawling up the stick, I called for my son to come out and hold the stick so I could snap a few photos.
After taking a few shots, I set it down in an empty birdbath which was lying on the deck. I ran inside and began to upload the photos, simultaneously doing a Google search for 'pink and yellow caterpillar'. I'm pretty sure at some point I put in terms like 'with ears', as well!
I was inside for less than five minutes--but when I went back out, this little creature looked nothing like when I left her minutes earlier:
She had attached herself to the side of the birdbath, and those little 'ears' were actually wings! She was a moth. A Rosy Maple Moth, to be exact. It all started to make sense when I looked up and realized I had found her underneath a Maple tree!
I began to realize that she must have recently emerged from her cocoon and, having fallen to the ground, had been in the process of trying to find a place to attach and pump up her wings. I just happened to intercept her as the process was happening.
A few articles I read mentioned this moth could be destructive to trees, but I simply ignored that information and instead, remained in awe by the lemon and raspberry sherbet that looked more sweet than sinister. I placed her back in the garden, where she attached herself to a Hellebore stem:
She remained there as nightfall came and I went to bed. When I checked for her the next morning, she had flown. I hope Rosy has a good life. I feel blessed to have seen part of the process of changing from 'fat cat' to beautiful moth. It's funny how you can live in a place for 15 years and still find something new, nearly every day. You just never know what surprises await you on any given day!
Words and photos ©Thanks for today.™, by Jan Huston Doble @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/
Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.
What a miracle! I'm so glad you were able to get photos to share. They are amazing.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting moth and great post. She definitely was pretty. Too bad she's destructive.
ReplyDeleteFlowerLady
Amazing Jan. What a treat to see it unfold its wings. I never saw a pink and white moth either. It is so beautiful isn't it.
ReplyDeleteWho cares if she eats a few maple leaves - if she looks so gorgeous!!
ReplyDeleteI've never seen one before and here you captured her coming out and getting her wings. Beautiful. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWow one of God's amazing creations!
ReplyDeleteIsn't that amazing to have discovered something new and beautiful? I think I have seen them around in full wings, but I don't think I have seen them in that first stage. Great shots!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that you were able to catch the metamorphosis. She is a pretty moth, albeit a destructive one.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you got all those shots!!! That's really quite a beautiful moth. Love the catepillar!
ReplyDeleteWow, to be there for that transformation is wonderful. Amazing photos!
ReplyDeleteHow amazing to have witnessed and captured that!!!! Great shots!
ReplyDeleteThat is so interesting! Thanks. Carol
ReplyDeleteJan, Thanks so much for sharing Rosy's transformation with us. -Jean
ReplyDeleteBeautiful little creature in all stages. This was a great post to share.
ReplyDeletenice.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post, Jan. I'm equally fascinated by this little jewel of a creature. I hope it has a happy life.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing little creature. You're so lucky to have captured these pictures. I hope Rosy had a good life. :)
ReplyDeleteJust found your blog and wanted to say how breathtaking these images are! I have never seen such a pretty and fascinating moth... don't blame you for ignoring the destructive bit. It looks like a creature that was designed for fairyland, to pull a tiny golden carriage through the toadstools! Thanks for sharing this loveliness. Jane Gray
ReplyDeleteYou can literally watch this process...it's amazing! We find these from time to time too.
ReplyDeleteThat is amazing - to be part of something so magical is truly a gift. And what a beautiful little creature. The colours are wonderful, I've never seen anything like that before.
ReplyDeleteWhat incredible photos. I have never seen an insect those candy colours. Amazing.
ReplyDeleteSuch wonderful timing that you found her just as she was unfurling. She's beautiful, I've never seen a rosy maple moth before.
ReplyDeleteJan, That was all so cute--what timing.
ReplyDeletewhat a truly wonderful capture stunningly beautiful <|;-)
ReplyDeleteWhat amazing timing to catch the transformation process as it was happening. Never a dull moment, is there! We need to carry our cameras every minute, don't we?! Never know what miracles of creation are awaiting!!
ReplyDeleteHow very very cool. New miracles every day.
ReplyDeleteWow! Talk about being in the right time, at the right place. what an amazing series of photos. I've never heard of this moth, but she's certainly beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI literally said "Oh my gosh" when I scrolled down to the moth part. I couldn't figure out what it was at first, either. Very nifty! This is a great post. You really were at the right place at the right time, and good thing you captured those first photos and bothered to go back out and take more! Cheers!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beauty! I don't think I've ever seen a moth like that before although I have seen pale yellow insects. Lucky you to have captured such a magical process. :o)
ReplyDeleteWhat incredible things we can see if we just pay attention. Fabulous photography, and how wonderful to be one of those people who sees the world around them that most simply ignore!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photographs! Nature in all her glory shown so nbeautifully ...
ReplyDeleteJan, that is a really marvelous post, and you wove it even more beautiful. A real 'thanks for today' post. The moth is naturally lovely too!
ReplyDeleteWhat a miracle! Remarkable! Such an incredibly beautiful moth - I've never seen her equal. I'm .... without speech... Good job, Jan!
ReplyDeleteDear Jan, Rosie made my day! I love this post. Thanks. P. x
ReplyDeleteStunning photos!
ReplyDeleteOh wow, what an incredible moment you got! I found your blog via Takaeko's, and it is just fabulous! I am having the most wonderful read, your butterflies are gorgeous :)
ReplyDeleteI was also beginning to think.... "What in the world," when (with your next set of photos) it all made sense! Can't you feel so privileged to have been in the right place at the right time? And witnessed yet another of God's Miracles?? :-) Thanks for sharing with the rest of us!
ReplyDeleteI must admit when I saw the first photo I thought it looked like a little toy, sort of alien but cute. Amazing that you caught this happening and how lovely she is.
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome! Great pictures of the cute little moth... Something new around every corner I say...
ReplyDeleteWow! Amazingly beautiful. thanks for sharing those photos on how it transform beautifully.
ReplyDeleteCassy from Beginner Free Guitar Lessons
Jan, that's an amazing sighting! How lucky your were to witness the transformation of that pretty little moth. You got some great photos. Thanks for sharing your exciting discovery :)
ReplyDeleteNature is marvelous....the miracles she shows us!
Each day is a miracle! It's the first time that I'm seeing a rosy maple moth. And, yes, she is pretty.
ReplyDeleteThat's so cool you were able to watch the whole caterpillar-to-moth process! This makes me want to go outside and hunt for caterpillars... well, maybe after the hurricane passes through.
ReplyDeleteI could hardly stop looking at your Rosy photos. Amazing.
ReplyDeleteHow could something so pretty ever be destructive?
donna
Never seen a moth at that stage. I can understand how blessed you feel at such a sighting. I feel the same way too. Wonderful photos. To think that's how they look when they emerge!! Wow!
ReplyDeleteKanak