Luna moths are huge and magnificent members of the Giant Silkworm Moths family (Saturnidae), which has some pretty spectacular moths, but this has to be the most elegant. I measured the width of the wing span (5 inches) and the length from head to tail tip (4 inches), bigger than many birds! This moth was clinging to a large garlic mustard plant and in the dark woods I at first thought it was an unusual leaf that had fallen onto the garlic mustard, but then I looked again and saw it was a luna moth! I have seen only a few of these in my life, and never had an opportunity to photograph them. This guy (and it was a male, the feathery antennae!) was very patient for a few minutes, but then he started moving around and began rapidly vibrating his wings and antennae and then took off, but not far. He landed on another plant, a bit further away, where I left him in peace.

They make their cocoons on the forest floor and apparently they are disguised by leaves and difficult to find.