Common Heath Moth

May and June are the main months for seeing the Common Heath Moth, Ematurga atomaria, although here, in the south, it may appear again in late summer.

They are, as the name suggests, common, most often seen lifting up from the heather, and landing again just out of reach of a photographers lens. More so if the weather is sunny and warm. Their colours are very variable, from browns to tans and self coloured, but all are extremely well camouflaged amongst the heather stems. There was some sunshine today but it's not warm for the time of year and I haven't seen anything like the numbers I would normally expect to find on the wing. Go large to see this ones tiny yellow eye.
It's a pity I found this one in a dull moment. Without a tripod and with a sharp breeze swaying the plants it wasn't the best time to go shooting moths.

The clouds are piling in now, a promise that tomorrows forecast is not erroneous.