Putting on my scary face

which is not a face at all.

The Elephant Hawk Moth caterpillar has evolved an extraordinary means to repel predators (and panic people which may not be so good for survival.)

As the extras show, in its normal form the caterpillar has a sort of trunk-like extension of its head, whence comes the name. If disturbed It first rears up and then retracts its head, simultaneously it puffs out the area behind which carries two pairs of fake 'eyes'. What results resembles a monstrous sort of snake, enhanced by the scaly appearance of the caterpillar's velvety coat and the spike at the rear end.

I met this caterpillar as I walked into town. It was inching along the hard  surface of the path around the harbour, risking either being stepped on or falling into the water. Very likely it was ready to pupate and had left its food plant (usually rosebay willowherb) to seek soft ground in which to burrow down for the winter. Naturally I helped it find the right sort of terrain and with luck it will emerge as a beautiful pink and ochre adult moth. 

Every year in late summer these caterpillars cause alarm and consternation to people who don't know what they are when they emerge in gardens or even appear in houses (cats may bring them in). They are harmless and precious so they just need to be left alone or moved to a safe spot.

There's a nice Country Diary piece about them here.