Little Things with Big Wings

Yellow moth on clover
A week without guests means several things. One is that I have time to take my camera out in the fields and forest and see what's new there. This week, the moths and butterflies are harvesting the bounty of nectar from the pasture behind our house.

Hundreds of these small, yellow ones were flitting about, playing tag and falling and rising from the grass and clover. If they had been in my garden, eating my tomatoes, I probably would have been upset. Instead, they made wonderful, if difficult, subjects for my camera.

Brown moth in ferns

Deeper in the woods, this brown moth was trying to hide in the ferns. Somebody should tell him that he would blend in better in a pile of dead twigs and branches. Instead, he was the perfect contrast for my lens.



Monarch in the sun
I nearly missed seeing this monarch butterfly munching clover blossoms, as he was hardy moving as her explored every flowerlet. The sun was shining through his wings, and he virtually lit up as I walked by. And he was in no hurry, nor bothered by my presence. I will probably have to send him a payment for modelling, as he didn't sign a release.

Dragonflies in temporary pond

All of the rain we've had here left the trails full of puddles, and a nascent pond blocked my way farther into the woods. The dragonflies had found the spot, though, and it appeared that a female thought this to be a good place to lay eggs for the next generation. I'm hoping she's wrong, and dryer weather will evaporate the pools and let me pass beyond here next time.