Stairwell moths. White Ermine

Akin to the regal collar the new king wore as he was anointed. A seriously beautiful moth. They appear almost sacred such is their majesty. Much like all moths they are overlooked by most. Invisible to the human eye. Well, most. Were Lepidoptery to begin today the distinction between butterflies and moths would not be there. The history is largely of the learned aristocrat of Victorian England who took an interest in natural history. Perhaps being of a post enlightenment Christian culture butterflies were of the light and moths something of the dark. These gentlemen would have large collections that showed the variety of a species and though frowned upon today undoubtedly left a vast amount of knowledge. The butterfly and many moths are hard to capture and driving back on a night through the country lanes one can't help but hope for a pause. But others are almost perfect for the smartphone; poised and still and an easy target for the amateur naturalist. Such a deep world to dive in to. I am fortunate that my brother is the chief of Butterfly Conservation in the midlands through to the north of England. His knowledge is, on certain moths, the highest on the planet. If I chance upon a micro moth or other I am unable to identify you can guarantee he will know not only what it is but its life cycle, where it is most common, at what time of year, what the caterpillar feeds on and more. For me it has been more an interest in what the light that is often on in the stairwell attracts and the natural history that comes here to me. I don't go out and trap moths though I may do soon. It's baby steps. Learn the moths that land where I live. I've never tallied up the number of species that have been here but I guess there's over fifty that I've photographed over the last few years. And I've always loved the beautiful things that most people never see. I think it comes from my dad who brought me up to understand evolution. He had eyes that saw what most never will and that gift he passed on. My brother is a fountain of knowledge. Where as I can not help having one foot in art and lack the discipline to be an expert.