Posted By: Diane
Pine Barrens Buck Moth - 09/05/11 03:31 PM
Kerri inspired me, so I feel compelled to post this, along with a motto.
I was on the hunt for the Pine Barrens Buck Moth. It's not an endangered or threatened species, but it is a species of special concern here on Long Island, NY. It is found in the Dwarf Pine Plains, a unique habitat of dwarfed pines and scrub oaks within the Long Island Pine Barrens. These moths are attracted to the oaks for food and shelter. It's an otherwise quite arid environment, hot and dusty and sandy and home to a few tough species.
My hunt took weeks, wherein I usually came up empty. Every weekend, I'd go out there in search of these buggers. I knew they were out there, but where? Then, finally!!! After seeing a bunch of them flittering around, and not being able to get a shot, I was getting frustrated. Then, I saw one land on an oak branch about a foot and a half off the ground. I approached, and this is what I saw:
While I was shooting, this moth was stuck with her task of laying her eggs, totally committed to finishing it. It was obvious to me how utterly vulnerable the moths are at this point, as any predator could have just picked her off. She was not moving for nothing. And, my moral: Pick a subject and stick with it. It's not always easy, but the payoff is worth it. I left the pine plains after filling my cards, dusty, sandy, sweaty, and happy, singing "I am the champion..." Needless to say, task accomplished.
I was on the hunt for the Pine Barrens Buck Moth. It's not an endangered or threatened species, but it is a species of special concern here on Long Island, NY. It is found in the Dwarf Pine Plains, a unique habitat of dwarfed pines and scrub oaks within the Long Island Pine Barrens. These moths are attracted to the oaks for food and shelter. It's an otherwise quite arid environment, hot and dusty and sandy and home to a few tough species.
My hunt took weeks, wherein I usually came up empty. Every weekend, I'd go out there in search of these buggers. I knew they were out there, but where? Then, finally!!! After seeing a bunch of them flittering around, and not being able to get a shot, I was getting frustrated. Then, I saw one land on an oak branch about a foot and a half off the ground. I approached, and this is what I saw:
While I was shooting, this moth was stuck with her task of laying her eggs, totally committed to finishing it. It was obvious to me how utterly vulnerable the moths are at this point, as any predator could have just picked her off. She was not moving for nothing. And, my moral: Pick a subject and stick with it. It's not always easy, but the payoff is worth it. I left the pine plains after filling my cards, dusty, sandy, sweaty, and happy, singing "I am the champion..." Needless to say, task accomplished.