butterfly or moth?

While walking outside the house I noticed a small moth perched quietly on the side of the house with her wings fanned out.

The pattern on the wings caught my eye. When I looked at it closer, I was delightfully surprised at the colorations in the wings and body.

And here I thought that only butterflies had beautiful colorations. Beauty is everywhere. All around us. All that we have to do is take the time to smell the flowers and look closely at all of natures tiny critters. Do you know how to tell when you are looking at a butterfly and when you are looking at a moth if it isn't obvious? Butterflies fly during the daytime and moths fly at night. Have an adventure right in your very own backyard. Lew