This huge moth (about 7 inches wide) was waiting on my door jam as I went to get the mail. According to the web they are related to silk moths, and eat 86,000 times their weight. (It didn't specify lifetime, or any period of time) Pretty sure that means they need to eat all the time - so I delayed him for only an hour. He seemed rather lethargic the whole time. After resting on the porch a few minutes he flew off.
Thanks Dan. The encounter was sheer luck. I have learned from some other people the he is a she. The antennae are how they tell. Her small antennae gave me hope her head hadn't been snatched by a bird. Seemed very shy, and never stuck it out once. The wing eyes were almost clear like mica. In all, she seemed to be in a very fragile state. I never touched her, but coaxed her into a Corningware baking dish with no corners, and "vanishing wall" edges. Problem was she filled the 9"x9" dish. Not the best shots, but I wanted a record of my first Antheraea Polyphemus encounter.
Luck can be a big part of our photographic workflow, skill if you will!
You are not giving yourself enough credit Jim about composing the shot. I believe this is a very excellent composition! The white of the dish only enhances the butterfly/moth.
The Butterfly show that re-started 6 years after covid was a very welcome event. I tried and tried to get the County to start it back up ASAP. I voluntered to be the docent! They wouldn't have it.
I think the County finally buckled under pressure from the many photographer's that attend the event.
Again SUPER!
Dan
