Pandora Sphinx Moth digital photograph
A few mornings ago I found this beautiful moth on the our front porch wall when I went out to get the paper. I had never seen anything like it before and watched it mesmerized. I then ran inside to grab my camera hoping it will still be there when I got back. I loved the combination of olive green and the pink and the beautiful delicate markings. Googling moths, I discovered its name and information. The adults feed on nectar and prefer flowers that open at night and are sometimes seen on petunias. That explained the moths presence - there was a basket of petunias by the door :). Apparently the larvae feed on grape leaves and virginia creepers --and we do have virginia creepers in our yard. Their coloration is so much like camouflage military fatigues that I am sure its very easy to not 'see' these in the garden. In fact I think their shape resembles one of those military aircrafts too! The scientific name is Eumorpha pandorus and whatsthatbug.com informed me that 'eumorpha' in Greek means 'fair of form' and the species name pandorus means 'giving all' or 'given all.' Apparently the larvae look like sphinx -now I am really curious - I will have to look harder in the garden. As artists, I think our obsessions, compulsions and how much time and energy we devote to art, seems to have something in common with the moths, as expressed by Helen Hunt Jackson:
Bee to blossom,
Moth to flame,
Each to his passion.
14 comments:
beautiful photography, I love the colors you describe moth
@carolum art, Thank you :) It was the ideal subject to photograph too - stayed perfectly still till I was done!
Thanks Prabha! I decided to show off the original -nature's creation as is :) some day soon I will paint it.
Gorgeous! When we see moths from a distance, all we see is grays and browns. Each creature is so beautiful in its own right, isn't it?
Thanks Hema! yes, each creature is uniquely beautiful --sometimes I think I should just appreciate its beauty and not go searching for information :)-seems like my left and right brains are in constant argument with each other when it comes to art!!!
It definitely is a beautiful moth. Looks like he is wearing a t-shirt with a California cow on it!!(hehe). I would love to see your interpretation of his picture.
California cow Moth --he he -indeed :) I will plan a painting with my humble interpretation
Yes you are true,and it is mesme and can't take our eyes of it.....the green color is unique with his body and wings pattern are very well combined...thanks for sharing.
Thanks Anudeepa -- I was so happy to be able to watch the moth in such close up detail!
Beautiful and interesting. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you! - It is amazing how many beautiful creatures are out there :)
Looks almost a Origami-like paper made moth, doesn't it! Nature is amazing with its tricks :) And that's some nice information on those species; its always a good thing to have when you are in search of constant inspiration as an artist!
Thank you, Nikhil! sometimes I wonder if so called 'research' I do is just a sneaky stalling tactic conjured up by my brain!
Dear Meera,
I saw one of these moths this morning and did an image search. I liked your image because it seems to best capture the color and intricacy of the moth.
However, it was your writing which best expressed my own wonder at seeing it (and rescuing it from parking deck sidewalk.) Thanks for the spiritual and artistic lift. I know what you mean about being both artistically and scientifically curious.
Sincerely,
Hadley George
Thank you so very much, Hadley George :) - you really made my day. I am so happy you enjoyed the post - for an artist there is so much joy in sharing. Happy to touch base with another who is also artistically and scientifically curious ;) I appreciate your comments!
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