I looked out the window this morning and saw Maria walking around the yard with a small moth sitting on her open palm. I went out and asked what was happening, and she said she saw the moth floating in the water tub out in the pasture.
She thought it was dead but when she lifted it out, it moved. She thought it would fly away but the moth – no fool – wanted to stay in her palm, perhaps because it was warm.
She walked the moth around for 10 or 15 minutes and then held out her hand near an Iris in her garden. The moth was happy to move over to the Iris, and sit in the sun, which is where she is now.
Troubled animals find people like Maria. It was a sweet way to start the morning.
(Note: Top Photo is by Maria Wulf.
I was able to do the same for a dragon fly once. He stayed on my hand until he dried off enough to fly away. It was wonderful to be able to study him and those beautiful colors while he stayed.
Great closeup of the moth!
Amazing! That moth looks like silk fabric, and the picture’s a work of art.
Have either of you considered the iNaturalist app? INaturalist.org. Seeing as you are both citizen scientists.
I do this a lot with insects. I now call myself the bug whisperer.