Rich Dong recently photographed a Ceanothus Silkmoth.
As did John Sheafe. These large moths can measure up to five inches wingtip to wingtip.
I've often wondered if Nike got their idea for their swoosh from the markings on this moth. Below is a photo of Ceanothus in bloom, this photo taken by Bob Rutemoeller.
Thanks to Rich, Bob and John for allowing me to share their photos with you here.
Another sunny, breezy (perhaps windy by afternoon!) day today.
Spring doesn't know...
Bob Rutemoeller and Sandy Hughes both noticed this big moth resting at the Gualala Post Office. It's a Western Cecropia, or Giant Silkmoth.
Harm Wilkinson photographed a Ceanothus Moth just a block or two away.
They each have the distinctive white markings on their wings, but the colors are different and the markings on the bottom of their wings is different. Still, at first glance, I would have thought Bob's moth was a Ceanothus. We are seeing wild lilac, Ceanothus, in bloom right now, which always attracts Ceanothus Moths. They are quite large and exciting to see. The Giant Silkmoth is a rarer sighting for us.
Thanks to Bob and Harm for allowing me to share their photos with you here.
Ceanothus is blooming up and down the coast, so it's no surprise that beautiful, big Ceanothus Silkmoths should appear. Frances Anderson photographed one outside Action Network in Gualala.
Willie Brown also photographed one.
I've wondered if Nike got their idea for their swoosh from Ceanothus Moths!
One of the most interesting and unusual photos of these moths was taken by Jerry Rudy in Timber Cove. His photo shows a female laying her eggs on a stem.
Thanks to Frances, Willie, and Jerry for allowing me to share their photos with you here.
Jerry Rudy had a Ceanothus Silkmoth pay a visit to his Timber Cove home. And she was pregnant. Here's what Jerry wrote, “This mother moth showed up on our doorstep last week. We set her on a native azalea and she promptly laid about 50 eggs. I believe they hatch in about 10 days and I am considering moving them onto our local Ceanothus.”
You can see the eggs on the azalea stalk. Amazing photo!
And here is a photo Wendy Bailey took a few weeks ago of this beautiful, big moth.
Thanks to Jerry and Wendy for allowing me to share their photos with you here.
There are splashes of purple on the Mendonoma Coast now as Wild Lilac, or Ceanothus, is blooming.
This plant is a host plant for the spectacular Ceanothus Silkmoth, Hyalophora euryalus. This particular moth was photographed by Megan Wilson and was on the small side, about half the size of her hand. Still, these moths are so large and striking, they are a treat to see. Do those white markings remind you of Nike's swoosh logo?
Thanks to Megan for allowing me to share her photo with you here.
It is spectacular on the Coast right now. This weekend would be a great time for a visit!