Cecropia moth sighting!
Jun. 1st, 2011 11:18 amGuys! Guys! Look at this beauty! A female Cecropia moth, Hyalophora cecropia. She's perched on a yew outside my house. (Click each picture for a bigger view.)
When I first spotted her, about 9:30AM, she had her wings closed, like this:

45 minutes later, when I returned from running errands, she was still there and, as I walked past her, she very obligingly spread her lovely wings and posed for me.

I didn't want to scare her away, so I didn't get too close, but she's huge - her wingspan is about the length of my whole hand, from fingertips to wrist.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia article on Hyalophora cecropia, for those who want to read more.
When I first spotted her, about 9:30AM, she had her wings closed, like this:

45 minutes later, when I returned from running errands, she was still there and, as I walked past her, she very obligingly spread her lovely wings and posed for me.

I didn't want to scare her away, so I didn't get too close, but she's huge - her wingspan is about the length of my whole hand, from fingertips to wrist.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia article on Hyalophora cecropia, for those who want to read more.
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Date: 2011-06-04 03:05 pm (UTC)Spreading her wings appeared to be a reaction to my presence - she was perfectly still until I approached and then she twitched once or twice and struck that pose and held it.