Animal Magnetism Giant Moth

When I went to open up Fourmilab one fine October day in 1998, what should I see on the door but an enormous moth gone to ground above the door handle. The moth's camouflage is clearly intended to protect it when hiding on tree bark, but other than the odd dérangement in opening and closing the door and taking this picture, it did the trick for this moth, that day.

The tape measure at the left is calibrated in centimetres. The moth remained immobile the entire day, even as the door was opened and shut numerous times. About an hour after sunset, it had flown away.

This photo was taken by John Walker on October 13th, 1998 with a Kodak DC120 digital camera. Exposure and focus were automatic.

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