At the end of the straw

[odds]

I find it challenging to photograph the small white/light gray moths flitting low from straw to straw. I don't know their real name, I just call them blue-eyes. Skittish they are, and if I chase them they tend to land on the opposite side of a straw. Low position and busy environment/background add to the challenge. Why do they, by the way, mostly sit head down on the straw?

This guy flapped his wings while struggling to get to the top of his straw, as if he wanted a view to decide whereto next. He kind reminded me of Johnny Cash's song about the bug that set out to crawl around the world ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmT12jC9skI ).

The TinyPic is apparently also at the end of their straw, and I guess I need to find a better way if I want to submit more images.


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Odd S.

[Rufus]

There are indeed a lot of challenges as you describe. No wonder I choose easier subjects

I too used TinyPic and canvassed opinion in this thread which may be a useful start point for you:
Tinypic is closing - what now?

[pschlute]

I link to flickr to post pictures on here

[Geoff F]

That group of micro moths are commonly known as Grass Moths. Several families such as Agriphila, Crambus and several others. I find photographing them to be tricky; although rewarding when you do manage the perfect angle for identification. But, just to make things extra difficult, most species come in a variety of forms with slightly different markings.

[odds]

Thank you all for comments and suggestions for TinyPic replacements. The TinyPic closing message points to one site that I will check out. I will consider several options, I may even keep future images on my own server.

@Geoff: Yes I have noticed that Grass Moths vary. I think a bluish eye variant is common around here :-) The color may be picked up from the surroundings (sky?) rather than being pigments. Some have greenish eyes, like the one in the accompanying image. Possibly picked up from the green surroundings?

They all seem to have the brushy snout and they often sit head down on a straw, like the green-eye below. Are they looking for threats or food on the ground, is it Pole position for a quick escape or are they just heavy-headed?

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Odd S.