Short Lived Beauty

A few nights ago, we noticed a large moth at dusk, but it was flying high and not landing for us to see it well enough. Today this beautiful moth was found lying on the ground, similar in size to what we think we saw. It's a native Polyphemous moth, Antheraea polyphemus, which only lives about a week, enough time to mate. It doesn't need to eat during this short lived life stage.

Isn't it a beauty! 

Purple Pickerelweed

Tall spires of purple

Composed of tiny flowers

With cheeky faces

Island Escape

I set off in my kayak to pick blueberries on an island I know is full of opportunities to do so, and was gone for almost 5 hours!  This time, in trying not to be too late like last year, I was way too early for wild blueberries. I must have come home with 3/4 cup worth only. I must say though, that there was so much to see and enjoy, that I didn't mind coming home almost empty-handed.

I beached on the narrow stretch of dry land between lily ponds.

and proceeded to look for dusty-blue berries, but most were still green. I watched a heron watch me though, and I reveled in the Loon and Bald Eagle cries that punched through the persistent red-winged blackbird trills. A Barred Owl called as well - what a day!

The views from this natural narrow blind are amazing - I felt as if I owned everything I could see ...

except that, it seemed as if this spot was already 'taken.' I thought it might be moose ... so I found myself searching "what does moose poop look like?" and discovered that 'moose feces range from completely loose to a cow patty look to large, lumpy turds' (Alaska wildlife). So, I'm going with that - it wasn't full of berries and seeds, as I'd expect from bear scat; this was all green material inside, which I decided not to post (you'll thank me!).

I was pleased to come across this dainty little American Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) in flower - I find the leaf vein patterns quite beautiful.

I was sad to see a lot of litter left here by other human visitors - what a shame we leave such a trashy 'signature'. Next time, I'll be sure to bring a collecting bag to deal with the trash.

I'll have to get my timing right, though and go back there again before it's too late to harvest the fruit.

Pretty Critter

This little caterpillar caught my eye in the lawn - it's the larval form of a moth species I photographed in June 2023, the pink-striped oakworm moth, Anisota virginiensis, another welcome native.

This is the adult form of this silk moth, which lays its eggs on the underside of oak leaves for its young to forage on.