A Quiet Visitor to the Garden ~~~

Hello Friends!

For the past ten days or so the weather has meant no gardening {only if I really, really had to} as it has been very cold and very windy. I'm not a fan of gardening in twenty to thirty mile an hour winds!  However, it has been a lovely spring day today, the sun shone brightly in a boldly blue sky, and cottontail puffs of clouds scurried along in the not too insignificant breezes that billowed and blew the cobwebs away ~~~ a perfect afternoon for a few hours weeding in the garden, so booted and suited in my gardening togs off I went and carried on the job of clearing the raspberry patch ~~~

I had not been clearing very long when I discovered I had a very quiet companion. At first I thought it was a leaf, but then I realised it was a beautiful Angle Shades moth {Phlogophora meticulosa ~ which sounds rather like a spell from a Harry Potter novel!}

With a wingspan of about 45 ~ 50 mm, it is a fairly common moth, especially in southern coastal areas, with distinctive markings and looking not unlike a withered leaf {great camouflage}.

It would not let me go! It clung on to my gloves, and despite my best efforts refused to fly away to the safety of nearby cover, so moth on hand I came and found my camera and took some photos of the obliging little creature.  Here are the best ones I managed ~~~ to see a larger image, just click on each image ~~~

Eventually, the dear little thing decided it was best if it listened to me, so I released it quietly into a lovely patch of brambles and nettles ~~~

Until next time ~~~

~~~Deborah xo