#I'm guessing the phone camera's algorithm was trying to do a blur effect?

[godtier]

I had an awful experience at the hairdressers today but that's not what I'm posting about. mostly.

tl;dr: I had an awful hairdresser who couldn't figure out how to translate a simple image to a haircut and so I left without getting my hair done there. on the way out, I saw something big and orange on the pavement.

it was the hugest moth I had ever seen up-close in my life.

it was bizarre to see it sitting there, since they're mostly nocturnal and live closer to the woods. this was in a strip mall parking lot.

I knew it was likely dying from exhaustion as soon as I walked up to it because it wasn't injured in any way and it didn't struggle or fuss when I crouched over it. it must've just fell out of the tree it was sleeping in and didn't have the strength to fly anymore.

I gently guided it into my hand. it struggled to hold on and fell a few times; the wind didn't help either. but after a few gentle tries, I got it perched in my palm. it was nice enough to spread its wings so I could see its beautiful patterning before I moved it.

most people think moths are ugly, but I think they're beautiful.

I'm not sure what type it is (if anyone knows, pls tell me!) but all the anger and frustration I had about the dumbass hairdresser left my body immediately. I was just struck with a profound calmness to be able to hold this beautiful creature in its last moments. I have always loved reading about moths, wishing I could see them in person. it was a simple but special moment, as strange as it sounds.

I set it down on the base of the tree that it had likely fallen from. I found a bit of bark on the trunk that was sticking at an angle that allowed the moth to hang on. I wanted it to be suspended from the ground so that ants wouldn't get to it right away so it could have a few more moments of peace before the inevitable. I left it there while other people stared from in their cars.