Friday, July 8, 2011

It Came From Martindale

On Facebook earlier, I asked if anyone knew an entomologist that could help Marissa and me identify a strange critter. One friend suggested posting a picture; I think a story should go with it, so here goes...

July 10, 2006, 12:45 AM: I had gone to see Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest with some friends. It was late when I got home and spooks and creepies were already on my mind. When I sleepily climbed up the stairs to our rickety porch, I was greeted by a monster the likes of which I had never seen before. After I caught my breath and calmed my heart, I made sure to document what I thought had to be a new species. Pictures from multiple angles, including one with a known object to establish scale, and hasty notes followed. I wanted to study my find in better light, so I went in search of a jar. Unfortunately, when I returned, the thing had vanished. I filed my pictures and notes away, went to sleep, and promptly forgot all about it.

Nearly five years (to the day!!) later, the Pirates franchise is once again in theaters (or was recently) and I get a text from my wife with a photo that brings back a plethora of excited memories. It was of the exact same critter I had seen before! I showed the picture to a well-traveled co-worker, thinking he'd be one to know what it is; however, he'd never seen anything like it. The plot thickens—I've got to find out what this is! Call the university! Heck, call Hollywood!!

Okay. Enough with all the suspense and drama. Here are some pictures. Does anybody know what this is?

Cassette tape for scale - 2006
First photo - 2006
Texted photo - today

1 comment:

sean said...

One Facebooker called it a dobsonfly. We may have a winner!