Sunday 19 June 2011

Moth Mystery

Photos Copyright: Maggie May

I was out in the garden hanging out the laundry when something caught my eye.
A beautiful butterfly. I rushed indoors to get my camera but not really expecting it to be there when I returned.


Luck was on my side. It wasn't going anywhere fast.
I zoomed in.
I'm no expert but I knew it was not a butterfly, but a moth.
What kind, I do not know. I am relying on somebody being able to solve this mystery.



While I had the camera in my hand, I decided to snap any flora that was in flower.
The California Poppy always does well in my garden and sometimes grows so prolifically that it could almost be classed as a weed. It does have a pretty flower though.


This little flower is shyly peeping out from behind some ferns. I thought I had lost all the plants in my garden.
It is the bi-ennial Lychnis Coronaria, with it's silver leaves and carmine flowers. Always one of my favourites, so I am extremely pleased to see it back in my garden.

My two unnamed Clematis are really doing well this year.
I think in our garden anyway, it has to be the plant of the year. (So far.)

I am now looking forward to hearing what kind of moth visited my garden?








28 comments:

Sally Wessely said...

Beautiful flowers. You have some of my favorites in your garden.

Glenda said...

It's a Scarlet Tiger Manly. Leave it to an American to identify one of your UK moths, LOL.

Glenda said...

Sorry, I didn't spell that correctly. Scarlet Tiger Manley. Go to wildlifeextra.com and search for scarlet tiger manley moth.

Eddie Bluelights said...

Agree with Glenda. It is a beautiful Scarlet Tiger Moth. Article on website on:

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.wildlifeextra.com/resources/listimg/butterflies/Scarlet_Tiger_Manley%40body.JPG&imgrefurl=http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/moth-count009.html&usg=__vbreDRdQKmf1fAdvHr2CyvdLfJk=&h=195&w=260&sz=15&hl=en&start=34&zoom=1&tbnid=ozmGaG9sMnt5RM:&tbnh=156&tbnw=208&ei=R1T-TZOyDNG1twfq8fG5Dg&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dgarden%2Bmoths%2Buk%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-GB:official%26channel%3Dnp%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D858%26tbm%3Disch&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=611&vpy=219&dur=5290&hovh=156&hovw=208&tx=165&ty=82&page=2&ndsp=20&ved=1t:429,r:12,s:34&biw=1280&bih=858

Crumbs what a moth ful ~(oh sorry mouthful LOL) Copy and paste into your browser that little lot and there is an interesting article.
Gtreat photos Maggie. Hope Harry and you are OK. Luv Eddie x

Maggie May said...

Many thanks, Glenda! I am extremely grateful. A bit embarrassing that it had to be an American identifying a British moth..... but well done.
Maggie X

RNSANE said...

It is most beautiful, Maggie May! So nice that he/she stayed still long enough for you to photograph. The garden is looking beautiful - glad to see California poppies in bloom there.

Working Mum said...

I didn't realise moths could be that pretty. I always thought they were quite dowdy.

I love clematis; mine are doing well this year too. Wonder if it's anything to do with a dry spring and then all the rain we've had? Should be a good year for plums as well!

Anonymous said...

I love poppies,they look like Welsh poppies to maggie
Funny how we label things -butterflies are pretty,moths re anot ,how untrue.Its like flowers are lovely,weeds need to be pulled up, there are some very pretty weeds too
Bit like people really :>)

Happy Frog and I said...

Beautiful moth. That's one of the things I love about blogging, if you don't know the answer to something and throw it out there hopefully one of your readers will. Great stuff!

CorvusCorax12 said...

what a gorgeous moth and the flowers are beautiful too

Rosaria Williams said...

The clematis are stunning and would be my favorites right now.

Wendy said...

Oh, we both have moths in our posts! What fun! I love yours too. It's so colourful and I'm glad somebody identified it for you. Will check out that link.

Your flowers are so pretty too. I really like clematis, but don't seem to be able to grow it very well. Poppies are so cheerful. I thought the first pic (yellow flower) was an evening primrose.
Happy gardening.

Pauline said...

So glad you got your answer about the moth. It's beautiful. I've not seen one as lovely in this country.

Akelamalu said...

That really is a beautiful moth. I see from the comments it's a Scarlet Tiger - I didn't know that. :)

Formerly known as Frau said...

Beautiful pictures of your garden today and the moth is so pretty! Have a wonderful week!

Hilary said...

Your garden must be such a delight. Beautiful flowers and I'm glad that moth held still for you.

CiCi said...

The flowers give such joy don't they? You even have lovely moths in the UK.

Unknown said...

What a beautiful moth. I'm glad Glenda cleared up the mystery otherwise I'd have been wondering about it, too.

Anonymous said...

What a gorgeous moth!

Jeni said...

Don't ever look to me for assistance in identifying anything -be it plant or insect life!
Love seeing all your gorgeous flowers though.

Irene said...

I love poppies, so I wouldn't mind having them going prolific in my flowerbeds. If they grew like weeds, I would be more than happy. Your other flowers look lovely too. I'm jealous of your clematis.

XOX

Rose said...

You have some lovely blooms, Maggie! The moth is gorgeous; I've never seen one like this. Glad that Glenda identified it--a Tiger Manly is certainly an interesting name:)

mrsnesbitt said...

Wow! What a fantastic post - really inspired me - I must get my garden ready for the BBQ on July 2nd!

Suburbia said...

Your garden looks lovely Maggie.

I looked up that moth a few years ago but I can't remember it's name!!!! Not much help am I?

Unknown said...

I don't know what it is, but it sure is lovely! I love your pretty garden. I can just imagine you out there watering and smiling ; ) Beautiful.

FeltByRae said...

Lovely moth and how considerate of it to stay still long anough for you to snap it, the butterflies in France recently were not so polite - I ended up with a lot of photos with random blurs as the subject flew off!

Mickle in NZ said...

Pretty moths, and brightly beautiful flowers with such glorious green leaves - isn't nature kind to you and your dear Harry in your garden. Please sit back and enjoy it all for some moments every day (rain or shine).

Michelle and Zebby, xxx and zzzzzzzzzzz from Zeb (well what else do you expect from a cat!!!)

Coey said...

I love finding little surprises in my garden. They bring a little more joy to my life than was there before.