Butterfly / Cocoon Hunting

Welcome to Bog's Butterfly Gallery!  The BOG is renowned throughout the country as the world's foremost expert in Large Moth cocoon hunting, and Butterfly hunting.  This year has provided the BOG with numerous finds of incredible value.  First, let us begin by showing you a video BOG took of a 'Red Spotted Purple' butterfly that landed in his very own yard:

CLICK HERE TO SEE BOG'S BUTTERFLY VIDEO!!!!!

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The Bog, also (obviously) is an extremely talented photojournalist in addition to being the world's foremost cocoon hunter and foremost guitar student of The Doc of Rock himself.  The photos below are a true testament to both BOG's prowess as a photographer, as well as his unprecedented abilities as an entomologist (insect scientist).  Bruce Gottlieb is regarded throughout the global scientific community as the world's foremost expert on both butterflies, and moths of all types.  His counsel is sought by many researchers extremely often over the entire globe, thus requiring him to travel to many distant locations for the purpose of furthering his scientific studies.

Below, a Tiger Swallowtail rests peacefully on one of Bog's coneflowers.  The sight of a Tiger Swallowtail is a frequent one in Bog's yard....as they are drawn to him by an unseen and probably supernatural force.

Bog Captured this breathtaking picture of a Monarch Caterpillar, feeding on a milkweed plant.  Bog uses his strong maternal instincts to closely observe the caterpillars.  Once they have morphed into their cocoons, BOG will take the plant home with him and keep them in a protective case, ensuring the survival of the butterflies and/or moths within.  Bog's unprecedented status as a butterfly and moth expert is overshadowed only by his astounding sensitivity, empathy and compassion for all things.

A Dark-Phase Tiger Swallowtail, Bog's personal favorite butterfly and an exceptionally rare and beautiful specimen is captured on film thanks to the prowess and skill of Bruce Owen Gottlieb- The BOG. 

Bog then captured this beautiful shot of the underside of a Dark-Phase Tiger Swallowtail on a coniferous tree in his yard...

Another Dazzling shot of a Tiger Swallowtail.  Bog's reputation as a Butterfly expert has followed him since the very earliest days of his youth.  Bog's detailed and meticulous scientific research on butterflies and moths has yielded him a position of utmost respect and admiration through out the global scientific community.

LARGE MOTH COCOON HUNTING

Large Moth Cocoon Hunting.  Sound exciting?  Probably not huh?  Well guess what- that's because you are an idiot because is IS exciting!   Hope you know!

The quest for a large moth cocoon is one fraught with frustration, difficulty and despair.  These cocoons are so well-camouflaged, you could easily walk by one 50 times without ever noticing it....even if you were looking for it...and sometimes...especially if you're looking for it! 

As you can see from the annual hunt totals below....none are able to compete with the Grand Master BOG in terms of sheer Cocoon mastery....although the Doc of Rock does come close (in cocoon terms) and is the sole 'Cocoon Journeyman' in the global ranking system. Bog of course, is the only certified Grand Master of all cocoon hunting...giving him the power to promote and demote others to and from ranks at his will.  

To become a Cocoon Hunting 'apprentice', you must find, and supply proof (photo) to Doc's Guitar Studios of a large-moth cocoon.  To be promoted to 'Journeyman' you must find at least four cocoons in a given year.  To reach the coveted 'Master' rank.....you must find an almost-unheard-of TEN cocoons in one year.  To date...there are NO certified cocoon masters.  Will you be the first one!?!?   

BOG is the only Grand Master.  Only the BOG can promote someone to the rank of 'Master'.  However, any rank below 'Grand Master' can promote their underlings to any rank other than master.  (i.e. an apprentice can promote someone else to 'apprentice', but not a 'journeyman'...and a 'journeyman' can promote someone to either 'apprentice' or 'journeyman'.

If YOU think you are qualified to join in the hunt...please do!  Send us a photo of any cocoons you find and your name will be added to the list below, and you will receive your official promotion to the rank at which you qualify for by the numbers which you produce.  Typically in the summer, cocoons are virtually impossible to find...to the main season for finding them lies in the spring, winter and late fall.  

Below are a couple pictures of a cecropia cocoon, to give you an idea what to look for when you are on the hunt.  They look remarkably like a leaf, or even like the extension of a branch...so keep you eyes peeled and remember- just because you've walked through an area and found nothing....does not mean nothing is there.  As stated above...you can walk by these many, many times and never see them.  Good luck!

Official 2005 Cocoon Hunt Totals

FIRST Place-  Bruce 'Quaking Bog' Gottlieb - 20

SECOND Place- Brad 'The Doc of Rock' Gottlieb- 4

Third Place- Connie 'The Con' Gottlieb- 3

Fourth Place- Christina 'Smoocoon' Gottlieb- 1

TIE for Fourth Place- Anna 'Cocoon Slayer' Carlson- 1

TIE for Fourth Place- Kerry 'East Coast Master'-1

TIE for Fourth Place- Dana 'CecropiAce' Holger- 1 

LOSER- Gregg  'Shunt' Johnson-  0

...sadly, Gregg discovered a "cocoon" on April 6th, 2005.  Upon closer inspection, Gregg's "cocoon" was simply an old bird's nest (see picture below).  

This picture finds Boggy releasing one of his own hatched Cecropia Moths. Bog takes many walks through wetland areas in the winter and spring in search of the elusive Cecropia Cocoon, which is remarkably difficult to find.  Once found, Bog brings the cocoons back to his home and hatches them in an aquarium before releasing them safely into the wild.  Cecropia moths are the largest moths in North America.

Below we find the fruit of Bog's cocoon hunt.....in one day, Bog found an unheard of eight cecropia cocoons, and one of the very elusive and mysterious Polyphemus moth cocoons as well, located in the right Pepsi container.  This unheard of yield has cemented Bog's standing as the foremost large-moth cocoon hunter in North America.

JUST IN!  Check out these photos of BOG's recently hatched moths:

Here is a recently hatched Cecropia moth.  He emerged from his cocoon on June 18th, 2005.  

Below are two shots of BOG's newly hatched Polyphemus Moth:

Kerry, Doc's Guitar Studios East-Coast Master, and Cocoon Apprentice has provided us with these stunning shots of a Polyphemus cocoon and hatched moth.  Thanks Kerry!  You are truly the East Coast MASTER!

Want to join the Cocoon Hunt?  Send an e-mail to the Doc of Rock or BOG including an attached digital photo of your cocoon(s).  Your name and total will be posted above in the charts.

Get Rocked at Doc's!

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