The Butterfly Effect...

Napping Atlas moth at the Albuquerque Bio Park Butterfly Pavilion © Paula Scott Molokai Girl Studio

These moths are huge-this particular type of Attica Atlas Moth. From wing tip to wing tip on this one is about 8 1/2". They are nocturnal, so wherever it is that they land when the dawn of the day arrives, is where they slumber.  In this case, it was on the ground of the Butterfly Pavilion at the Albuquerque Bio Park. One of the staff members did come by to rescue it before someone accidentally trampled it.

Orange Butterfly (I'm sure it has a fancy name, but I don't know it!) © Paula Scott Molokai Girl Studio

If you are ever in a city that has a butterfly pavilion, do make it a point to see it and plan to arrive right when it opens in the morning to get the best shots (they aren't flitting about as much). When I walked in to this one, I said to my friend and fellow photographer, Pat Berrett, "Wow! I feel like a little girl surrounded by fairies!" Pat lives near the pavilion and has an annual pass, so he is there nearly every weekend. Just because he can!

In fact, just as we were leaving the pavilion, one of them had landed on his hat-I started taking photos non-stop as the butterfly flew around him landing and taking off, landing and taking off. I even managed to get a good shot of it on his camera!

Come join us every week, as a group of us from around the world post our shadow shots over at Shadow Shot Sunday 2. Entertain your muse and be amused by stopping by to see what others have posted!