This was the sun setting over my local nature reserve a week or so ago. Our group that manages the reserve decided to buy a moth trap so that we can survey what moths are using our reserve throughout the year. This was the second try out of the the equipment and ourselves!
We set the trap which was driven by a small generator and then we sat around in the dark for about 3 hours chatting while moths zeroed in on the pulsing light. Around 11pm we finished up and then tried to photograph what had been caught in the trap. Here are some of the results. Quite a few photos didn't come out too well. It's hard to take photos in the pitch dark with bugs fluttering everywhere and the camera getting confused. I need to keep learning! This one below (I think) is a Autumn Green Carpet.
This one is called Angle Shades.
I wish I could have got a better photo of this one called Burnished Brass, it was iridescent and amazing in the light of a torch!
There were a couple of options for the name of this one, but I think it is a September Thorn. Beautiful!
The last one that I had a reasonable photo of is called a Setaceous Hebrew Character.
If anyone knows different with my naming of these, please feel free to let me know! I can't wait to do more moth trapping. I've got the bug! (-:
This one is called Angle Shades.
I wish I could have got a better photo of this one called Burnished Brass, it was iridescent and amazing in the light of a torch!
There were a couple of options for the name of this one, but I think it is a September Thorn. Beautiful!
The last one that I had a reasonable photo of is called a Setaceous Hebrew Character. If anyone knows different with my naming of these, please feel free to let me know! I can't wait to do more moth trapping. I've got the bug! (-:
16 comments:
Hi Jenny,
Well done on the Mothing night. Some great Moths. The September Thorn is a new one on me, I am going to get my Moth book out and have a look. Must invest in a Moth trap for next year.
John
What a pretty sunset - I love that soft pink color in the sky!
That green moth is very pretty!
Your sunset is magnificent. I love silhouettes.
And your moths are rather wonderful too.
Beautiful sunset! Thanks for sharing all the amazing moths too.
I think I'd rather be a moth watcher than a birder. Going out in the dark and not knowing what you're 'trapping'. Exciting! And very interesting. Incidentally, I'm NOT a bird watcher!
Lovely evening sky Jen.
Moths are very colourful with a lot of detail on them. Don't get any in your clothes.{:)
What a fun time! I would have loved to have been out there with you yucking it up!! One thing about mothing...you don't have to be quiet like when youre birding!!!
What a neat post! The moths are very inteesting.
Hey Wren! Very pretty sky over your reserve.
Mothing Night. Don't know why but love the sound of Mothing Night. Sort of mystical.
The September Thorn. Very cool.
Looks like a fun way to spend the evening and see some bugs that you normally wouldn't get to see.
Love your Moth shots,great.
John.
I do not get to say this very often but , What lovely moths you have!
That sunset is pretty great too!
The moths look so very soft and friendly when they are not swooping down upon one!
I have never heard of a mothing night but whatever gets you out under the stars is what I say! Wonderful pictures, Jenny! and that night sky I would want to sit out under as well.
...that September Thorn is incredible. He looks like he's lime green, but the shape is so interesting too! Lovely sunset........
What an interesting thing to do! I think your shots turned out great and you certainly found a nice variety of moths with wonderful colors and shapes...love the green one and that iridescent one looks interesting. The sky shot is beautiful, too.
Lovely capture of the sunset Jenny. I always learn something new when I read your blog. When I ran my preschool I always reinforced to my students that even "I" learn something new everyday!
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