Sky Watch Friday- A Night at Little Pond

 

October 14, 2009, Little Pond, Maine.

For more sky watch, go here.

The Biodiveristy of Moths

So you think moths are boring, huh? Well, so did I- that was until I really started looking at them. Why my change? Once Jim Bissell from the Cleveland Museum of Natural History mentioned that someone had documented over 200 species of moths from a tiny property on Kelleys Island. Second, my need to quench my thirst for biodiversity after moving to suburbia about a year ago. And third, Seabrooke Leckie's the North American Backyard Moth Inventory.

When we were in Maine, when everyone was headed to bed, and I told my mother-in-law to not turn off the outside lights because I wanted to photograph moths, I think I puzzled her more than a little bit. She was off to bed, and if I wanted to photograph the moths of the north woods, I could go about my business. And what diversity there was. I was fairly exhausted when I took these shots, and the next time we're in Maine, I'll take more time to compose each shot- the point here? To get everyone out to look at moths. Theirs colors, shapes, and patterns are exquisite, and they're ridiculously easy to photograph. Just "leave the light on for them" just like Tom Bodet used to say in the Motel 6 commercials.

Harry, No! Don't look at the Light!

"I can't help, it is so beautiful" (ZAP) -From the movie "A Bug's Life"

After Megan and I moved to the middle of the suburbs, away from our house near the Olentangy River and acres of Olentangy park land, I believe that I went through biotic withdrawal. The challenge at our new house has been to discover new habitats and the animals and dwell in them. I have learned that our lamp post is a magnet for an array of night flying insects.









Aren't these creatures interesting? We all know that nocturnal moths and insects flock to lights at night, but why? After some cursory research, I've concluded that nobody really knows. The most popular theory is that moths navigate using the moon, and therefore are instinctually attracted to light. Others don't buy this theory. I'm just glad that they do, as they provide an interesting naturalizing experience without leaving my sidewalk.

Oh yeah, clicking on each image will reveal a larger, 600 pixel wide image.

For more animal shots, check out the Camera Critters Meme.

Tom