Monday, 16 July 2012

Pink Elephants really do exist!

This Elephant Hawk-moth was a welcome visitor to my garden moth-trap this week.
I should have photographed its underside - it is bubble-gum pink!
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29 comments:

  1. TexWisGirl16 July 2012 at 15:52

    wow! that is impressive! flying fuschia!

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    1. Jerry17 July 2012 at 00:29

      TWG, yours is a much better name than Elephant Hawk-moth!

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  2. martinealison16 July 2012 at 17:01

    Je suis réellement étonnée par la beauté de ce papillon... que ce soit par sa forme et ses couleurs extraordinaires.
    Très jolie photo et merci pour le partage.

    Gros bisous.

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  3. Tanna16 July 2012 at 19:36

    WOW!!! And, I like your grape cluster! blessings ~ tanna

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  4. Rita Vaselli17 July 2012 at 00:55

    Dear Jerry!A moth of incredible beauty! Thanks for showing these wonders!
    Have nice day in the great outdoors!
    (May I inspire to your moth picture for paint a moth close flower?)
    Warmly,Rita

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  5. Sharon Whitley17 July 2012 at 01:30

    Never seen one of these before - what gorgeous colours and yes it does look like an elephant - incredible thank you for sharing

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    1. Jerry17 July 2012 at 12:59

      Thanks Sharon, yes the body does look rather trunk like. I have read that the name refers to the fact that the caterpillar looks even more so. Have you noticed that the tip of its abdomen looks slightly damaged; I wonder if it grew like that or perhaps it had a close shave with a passing bat?!

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  6. Nikola D.A.17 July 2012 at 02:54

    As a child I had seen many times those months :) They are uniquely beautiful.

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    1. Jerry17 July 2012 at 12:52

      As you rightly say "uniquely beautiful". I saw several last year but only one so far this year and I think their main season will be over fairly soon.

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  7. Tammy17 July 2012 at 04:25

    Wow, that is beautiful! I've never seen a moth like that! Thanks for sharing:)

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    1. Jerry17 July 2012 at 12:46

      Tammy, it's amazing the wonders that fly about at night.

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  8. Francesc Barceló17 July 2012 at 07:15

    Maravillosos colores. Me quedo en la duda de si es una mariposa nocturna o una polilla. Estupenda fotografía, Jerry.

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  9. Sonia Aguiar17 July 2012 at 08:42

    Hola Jerry. No conocía esta bella y colorida mariposa. Acabo de leer que les gusta nutrirse del nectar de la flor llamada madreselva (honeysuckle) además estas flores desprenden uno de mis aromas favoritos. Estupenda foto!!

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    1. Jerry17 July 2012 at 12:43

      Hola Sonia. Yes they feed on Honeysuckle nectar and the caterpillar feed mostly on rosebay willowherb (Epilobium angustifolium).

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  10. ShySongbird17 July 2012 at 13:03

    What a beauty you captured, in more ways than one, Jerry. I have only ever seen them in pictures. How I wish I had night vision! :-)

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    1. Jerry17 July 2012 at 13:35

      This one is in great condition Jan; they can get quite 'worn' looking.

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  11. Eva 17 July 2012 at 14:21

    Maravillosa fotografia. Que colores. La primera vez que veo esta mariposa. Un gran profesional me pareces. Un saludo

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    1. Jerry17 July 2012 at 14:48

      Thank you Eva. I've just been looking at your blog - I love your work; La Charca is so fresh with lovely definition. Also I enjoyed comparing the pictures in your Playas del Norte series.

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  12. hmuxo19 July 2012 at 14:58

    I have never seen anything like this before, Jerry. This moth is truly beautiful..the colors are amazing!! Excellent photography !!

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    1. Jerry30 July 2012 at 14:26

      Thanks Hilda, Yes, it's an amazing moth.

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  13. Liz2 August 2012 at 07:25

    WOW!! That's amazing! Nice shot Jerry!

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  14. Ben Hardy24 August 2012 at 00:44

    My thoughts are those of Liz. Did you hear a fabulous half hour documentary on Radio 4 last night, all about moths? It was the sort of programme that Radio 4 does best: take a minority subject, have lots of people talk about it, and leave you wanting to know more.

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    1. Jerry24 August 2012 at 14:09

      Cheers Ben, I missed the radio 4 programme certainly sounds just up my street.

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    2. Ben Hardy25 August 2012 at 01:48

      Here is the link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b010t6nr/Requiem_for_a_Moth/ - it is a 30 minute programme, and a half hour well spent.

      Thanks, by the way, for the follow!

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