A Pretty Shock

I had decided to give the nursery pond a good clean out. Having moved one plant to the main pond I had just lifted the larger plant out and was removing the half log surround when I spotted something fly away. It didn't fly far enough for my liking and landed in the plant I wanted to move.

Can you spot it?



Maybe not yet as I stayed a good distance away for the first shot. Once I was reasonably certain it had settled and wasn't going to make any sudden movement I leaned a bit closer and zoomed in to take a few closer shots. This is the best one cropped:



An Angle Shades moth. ( Phlogophora meticulosa) Length about 1.5 inches and wingspan of  just over 2 inches. (35mm x 50mm). With my feelings towards larger moths, pretty as it was, I didn't stay close for very long. Not too bad when they are outdoors and still. As long as it doesn't decide to find its way indoors.

Crazy isn't it? A butterfly that size and I would be trying to creep as close as possible but with a moth I have this instant reaction of wanting to flee as fast and as far away as can be. If it was indoors I wouldn't be able to stay in the same room.