Virginian Tiger Moth, Spilosoma virginica
After surgery this past summer, I watched videos about birds and read novels featuring birds and butterflies. But soon I became bored and badly in need of a wildlife fix – something real and alive – and I wouldn’t be up to birding for a few weeks. National Moth Week had been two weeks earlier and it gave me an idea. I could leave the outside lights on and just step outside my back door with a camera. I could stay out for three minutes or thirty and I could go out in the middle of the night when I couldn’t sleep. Photos could be leisurely reviewed the next day and I could attempt to identify what I saw. My plan worked perfectly with just one side effect; it fueled another time-sucking hobby. I saw over 130 species of moths during the past three months and now I am seriously addicted to “moth-ing” in addition to birding.
Moths are just drab little brown and gray things – is that what you are thinking? Well, take a look at this gorgeous thing, a Zebra Conchylodes.
Zebra Conchylodes, Conchylodes ovulalis
This Tulip-Tree Beauty few into my family room where I photographed it, and then it flew back outside when I opened the door. How cooperative!
Tulip-Tree Beauty, Epimecis hortaria
And could anything be more lovely than this delicate Pale Beauty?
Pale Beauty, Campaea perlata
I discovered an amazing diversity of size, color, shape, and behavior in moths. But my quiet time alone outdoors in the beautiful summer nights resulted in the discovery of much more than moths. Insects! There are thousands and I saw a lot of them. This Mayfly was a surprise that took me quite a while to identify. I was left feeling as I did after first seeing an Eastern Towhee in my yard. How could this amazing creature have been right here in my yard and I never noticed it before!
Mayfly, perhaps a Hexagenia limbata or Litobrancha recurvata.
Here’s another interesting insect, a Florida Predatory Stink Bug. Yes, it’s a “good guy”, native and its prey consists of plant-damaging bugs, beetles, and caterpillars. I think that this is a 5th instar nymph.
Florida predatory stink bug, Euthyrhynchus floridanus
Most of the insects that I saw this summer still need identification. If you recognize anything in my Flickr “Backyard Insects” set, please leave a comment here or on Flickr.
I learned that Barred Owls call nearly every night in late summer; not always their “Who cooks for you?” song, but frequently the gentle “hoo-ah” of owl conversation.
Barred Owl photographed in my yard a few years ago. They breed in my neighborhood.
A couple of times I jumped when I heard something behind me and turned around to find as many as three raccoons on the deck rail. When fall arrived, the raccoons stopped visiting. Where they teaching the young ones where to get an easy meal of left-over bird seed? They certainly enjoyed the “foot bath” on my deck.
Raccoons visited my deck every night for a few weeks during the summer.
Neoscona crucifera, probably a female based upon its large size.
Recently I posted this photo of a large spider on Facebook with a request for an ID. One person commented, “What a beauty!” I felt a little ashamed that someone had to tell me that this was a beautiful living creature. I’m vowing to be more open-minded and expand my notion of wildlife beauty beyond plants, birds, butterflies and moths.
Learning to appreciate diversity in nature is never-ending for me. Every time that I open my eyes a little wider, I’m astounded by the beauty and wonder of life.
More moth photos can be seen in my Flickr set Moths of Forsyth County, NC
Birding for Life 
Shelly, How I enjoyed your Summer Nights! I’d still be sitting here looking at the rest of your fine pictures and comments but must be off on some pedestrian Sunday errands. Didn’t want to leave the scene without asking whether you plant Moonvine (moon flower) or Datura (Angel’s Trumpet, etc.). If not, do so next year and let yourself in for another treat! I’ve so enjoyed watching the hawk moths come in to drink (& pollinate!) in the late afternoon/early evening. Their proboscis is as long as their body! Most of these are fairly dull in color and design (as opposed to the bright cousin, Oleander Hawk Moth I once saw down in Wilmington and the charming little clear-winged Hummingbird Moths we see visiting our gardens in daylight). http://waynesword.palomar.edu/manduca2.htm Hope you’re fully recovered from your summer surgery. Deanna
Deanna, thank you for your kind and encouraging words. I do not have enough sun for Moonvine, but my neighbors have it. Thanks for reminding me that I want to check out their flowers one evening. I have seen hummingbird moths, but not the hawk moth in your link. I’m now fully recovered from surgery and doing fine.
Wow, Shelley, you sure do make good use of your “down” time–what beautiful creatures and such neat photos. Hope you are fully recovered now and getting your “fill” the outdoors. Let me know when next you pass through the area>
Sandy
Shelly so enjoyed these pictures, just to think this is in our back yards, I’ll have to check out my moon lilies next yr.
Charlene
[…] much as ever and was pleasantly surprised that I found several new species of moths. In my post Summer Nights a few years ago, I described the wonderful peaceful feeling of nighttime on my […]