Friday 13 July 2018

Jersey Tiger Moth

My garden has suffered in this hot, dry spell.  The grass has died back and flowers shrivelled in the scorching sun.  What has been doing well however are the insects and wildlife!  I now think I like insects more than I do flowers - much less maintenance! 

In the past few weeks I have spotted stag beetles (so scary when they fly!), many types of bee, ants and the dreaded flying ants, loads of butterflies moving too quick to be properly identified, a huge dragonfly, a personable toad, swifts, blackbirds, magpies, robins, foxes all making more regular appearances than usual.

Today something caught my eye as it quickly fluttered past my head.  As it settled on a leaf, I managed to quickly get in the house and grab my camera.  It stayed very still whilst I captured its beauty and then the Jersey Tiger Moth departed up and away towards the sky until out of view.  Such a little moment but a treasured one.

16 comments:

  1. Wow, that's a beauty, can't say I've ever seen on in real life.
    You were lucky to catch it, usually just as I get focused they fly away. lol
    Briony
    x

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  2. I've only ever seen a dead one before on a pathway. Today's one was quite stunning! :)

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  3. wow Simone.....your garden sounds absolutely amazing, so much wildlife.....great pic!

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  4. Thanks Vivienne. It has been exceptional this summer. :)

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  5. The moth is beautiful Simone and quite striking in its markings. I've never seen one before so thank you for sharing your photos with us. Butterflies and bees were certainly out and about in our garden yesterday before the rain:)

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    1. Thanks Rosie. After I posted the photo my Aunt saw one where she lives too after not seeing one for years!

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  6. I bet you have your camera very handy at the moment - how lucky the Tiger moth liked having his picture taken - what beautiful markings too.

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  7. The moth stayed just long enough for me to get my shot! :)

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  8. Ha! I thought you might be back at some point - I was told in my very first blog comment that it is addictive ..... and it is:0)

    It's no good me commenting on gardening, as I really don't like gardening. I like to see a tidy garden, but have no inclination whatsoever to be a gardener. I do just the bare minimum to keep it neat!

    Welcome back xxx

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  9. What a beautiful moth! And a personable toad... :) Glad all the wildlife is enjoying your garden this summer, even if you feel it's suffering.

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  10. The toad really was 'personable'! ;)

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  11. What luck, Simone! I have never seen one of those - and to get a picture too!

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  12. Hi Toffeeapple! My Auntie L lives the other side of London to me and she saw one and photographed it in her garden the day after I showed mine! Must be all the hot weather bringing them out. :)

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  13. I attended a lovely tea party yesterday with 6 of my fiber arts chums. All of us are transplants, that is we moved to this area from somewhere else. At one point we realized we had been spending a lot of time talking about the "critters" that share this beautiful part of the world. Thankfully we live in an area where many many folks are trying not to chemically interfere with nature. As a result the land is teeming with bugs and birds, amphibians and mammals. Your photo of the moth is a reminder to keep our eyes open and notice. Thanks.

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    1. Hi Sharon. I never use chemicals in the garden. A lot of my plants get eaten but I would rather save the insects and bugs!

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