A second Cecropia Moth emerged from her cocoon and she's a beauty.
She reminded me of I Love Lucy.
Her antennae are thin,
compared to her mate's. The receptors in his antennae helped him to pick up her scent.
I don't know if male and female wings are typically different, or if they just vary by individuals. The female had more crimson
than the male.As with the last pair, the female appeared, waited throughout the day, and next morning, a male had found her.
Again, they mated all day and were gone the next morning. But this time, I saw them part. I went out at 10:00 p.m. and they were still together, but flapping their wings vigorously, as if struggling to separate. Eventually they uncoupled and each clung to the twig, rapidly fluttering their wings. It was a cool night and I thought they were trying to get the blood flowing in preparation for their flights. She took off first -- and landed on my arm! I realized it was her first flight, ever, and it moved me. I let her rest a bit, then, realizing it was late and way past my bedtime, I gently lifted her off. She flew a couple of feet to a lit window on the back of the house. He flew into the treetop. I went inside, and a few minutes later, she had flown away to lay her eggs.
Again, they mated all day and were gone the next morning. But this time, I saw them part. I went out at 10:00 p.m. and they were still together, but flapping their wings vigorously, as if struggling to separate. Eventually they uncoupled and each clung to the twig, rapidly fluttering their wings. It was a cool night and I thought they were trying to get the blood flowing in preparation for their flights. She took off first -- and landed on my arm! I realized it was her first flight, ever, and it moved me. I let her rest a bit, then, realizing it was late and way past my bedtime, I gently lifted her off. She flew a couple of feet to a lit window on the back of the house. He flew into the treetop. I went inside, and a few minutes later, she had flown away to lay her eggs.~~~ ~~~ ~~~
Mama 'Coon has been coming to the feeder regularly.
Later, she showed the kids where the food was. They've been chowing down on sunflower seeds and we've been supplementing it occasionally with dog food, peanuts, and apples.
Now they come to the feeder by themselves.
5 comments:
Extremely beautiful moths and post, Jain!
Beautiful photography and story....this whole moth saga was wonderful !
Hi Jain...the moth story is almost mystical ..my goodness aren't they gorgeous..I can't imagine how thrilling it must have been when she landed on you !!! Nice close-up shots too!!
Your Raccoon family is so cute : }}
I laughed when I saw that first one of Mama setting in the feeder lol!!!
Grace
Fantastic experience with the moths, especially her. And the photos are stunning! They're such beautiful insects.
The raccoons, on the other hand, are pure fun. That first picture made me laugh out loud. Too cute! I love watching them despite their bad reputations.
I've had a raccoon rummaging around the yard at dinnertime lately, trying to take advantage of the sunflower seeds I spread on the ground for the turkeys. The turkeys and the raccoon actually tolerate one another, eating within a few feet of each other. I've got to admit that it's a bit unnerving, though; the raccoon is right outside my back door. Fortunately, it scampers away if I open the door; I don't want it to get too familiar.
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