Winter Thoughts — Life WILL Find a Way! (At Least the MOTHS Will!)

OK, so this post is not going to be my usual ”fare.”

Earlier this evening — but still well before dark — I found myself getting increasingly frustrated with a day that seemed to be nothing but one long string of not being able to complete projects because I was either missing something, because they turned out to be larger than expected.

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A moth on the patio... read on for further explanation! (This guy is less than an inch long)

So rather than continue to frustrate myself, I decided to just pack it in and set off in a completely different direction.

That direction consisted of making a cup of coffee, and standing out on our back porch looking out across the water towards the mountains. It was a surprise sunny afternoon in what has been a particularly wet and gray winter… So I enjoyed just standing there, even though the temperature was only still 42 degrees (about 6C).

As I looked around, I noticed that there was actually a moth sitting on the overhang above my head.

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This one has some serious camo action going...(also very small)

”Don't you know it's still winter?” I thought to myself… for a moment thinking back to my childhood in Denmark and how butterflies and moths seemed to be part of only late spring, summer and early fall.

I have been interested in butterflies and moths for as long as I can remember. As a kid my dad and I would go looking for them and he would try to take pictures of them of course — this being back in the day before digital cameras — and they would typically fly off before he could get everything set up and then in focus.

This particular interest has carried on into my adult life, most recently resulting in a membership in the BAMONA Project, as someone who submits photos and records ”sightings.”

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I believe this is called a "Pug Moth"

Anyway, I looked at the little moth above my head and decided I should go and get my camera.

Much to my surprise, I then discovered that my little friend wasn't alone!

In fact, some 15 minutes later, I had spotted and photographed all the creatures that are now illustrating this post, all just sitting around the walls and ceiling of our covered back porch.

It made me wonder whether these tiny creatures know something that we don't. Does it mean we're done with frosts? Does it mean the last snow has actually fallen? Or are they no wiser than humans, and are simply out and flying around as a result of being aware that the days are getting longer?

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Regardless, cold or otherwise, it seemed like a poignant reminder that no matter what, life on this planet does seem to ”find a way.” I suppose that might be stating the obvious, since our presence here is happening in spite of ice ages and extinction level events!

I'd like to think spring is not so far away. I get to this time of the year and experience an almost visceral longing for putting my hands in the dirt and growing something.

It was a good break. By the end of it my frustrations of the day had pretty much worn off, and I went about the more peaceful tasks of feeding the cats and the dog.

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Silly as it may sound, it is now near midnight and I cast an occasional glance at the whether I take her at the bottom of my computer screen, watching the temperature now having dropped to 38 degrees (3C) and worrying ever so slightly about whether the tiny creatures outside will freeze tonight.

Thanks for reading, and have a great remainder of your week!

Comments, feedback and other interaction is invited and welcomed! Because — after all — SOCIAL content is about interacting, right? Leave a comment — share your experiences — be part of the conversation! I do my best to answer comments, even if it sometimes takes a few days!

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Created at 2023-03-15 01:29 PST

0770/2025



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Around here we see an insect called the Western Conifer Seed Bug. Some people call it a stink bug, because it does smell bad if you squish it. They hang around all winter. They ride into the house on firewood, warm up, and then show up in the oddest places. People find them on the walls, in the shower, on their toothbrush, on the rim of their coffee mugs, etc.

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Ah yes, I vaguely remember something similar from growing up in Denmark. I don't think we have them here in western Washington... or at least I havent seen any.

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I don't recall them from my years of life in Washington, either. But I might have been too young to pay attention.

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(Edited)

You or a neighbor nearby feed birds? I had moths in the house last year like crazy and couldn't figure out where they were coming from. I read a lot of stuff all the time and just happened to be reading an article on long term storage of dry goods. That's were I learned that it's not uncommon for eggs/larvae to be attached to dry goods. Than it clicked that's why I see them in the entryway the most because that's where I'd leave the birdfeed to make it handy to get at everyday. Despite it kept my cat busy chasing them around I started keeping the bag closed to be sure that was the source. Sure enough the moth situation started declining.

I know what you mean being anxious for spring. One year, several years back I was walking through a park and decided to sit at a bench and just watch the water flowing round the ice. I happened to look down and there was an ant climbing up what was left of a snow mound by the river. Now if that wasn't a early sign of spring I told myself I don't know what is. lol.

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That makes a lot of sense! Our neighborhas all manners of birdfeeders, some of them close to the fence.

That was a very brave ant you saw there! Life will find a way!

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