Ogunquit Hawkmoth

Five-spotted Hawkmoth on my arm, Marginal Way, Ogunquit, ME

A walk at dusk along the Marginal Way in Ogunquit, I notice people pointing at something on the ground. A good sign! "What is it?" they ask. "A bird?"

No, it was a hawkmoth, of the five-spotted variety, I believe. It was struggling, desperately searching for something. It looked newborn, wings still a little curled. I bet it had just emerged from its cocoon under the ground. I let it crawl on my finger, got a few blurry photos/video (attracting a few curious passers-by), and placed it on a bush where it stopped struggling and assumed its rest position.

Here's the video


Here's the photo (which can be seen in full detail if you click the image).