I captured a Hummingbird-Moth… with my camera
I had no idea there was such a creature. I stepped outside earlier this morning to take a break from the computer and noticed what was not unlike a hummingbird flitting around from flower to flower. But it’s speed just wasn’t quite fast enough. Oh, this creature could move much better than most insects, but just didn’t have that “zip-zip” of a hummingbird. Plus, it allowed me to get much closer than birds do – and that’s when I noticed the antennae. I definitely knew then that it wasn’t a hummingbird. I wanted some photos but did not come out with my camera. Luckily, it hung around long enough for me to run inside, grab my camera – and even change lens – and get a few fairly decent shots.Â
When I was done, I googled “hummingbird moth” as that’s the closest thing I could think of. I’m not very knowledgeable in neither bugs nor birds, but it was a place to start, and it was a great start.
This insect is called a White-lined Sphinx Hummingbird Moth.
Click on any image to bring up the shadowbox viewer. Best way to see these photos.
Top Posts
This problem can be solved by pre-school children in 5-10 minutes. By programmers in one hour.
Click on image to go to full problem
Motley News, Photos and Fun 
Beautiful shots. It looked like it had three antennae but I see it’s just the angle of the shot.
It has a very long proboscis. You may be seeing that.
Evening is the right time, but before night falls. We had a flock of these moths on gold colored Azaleas last night. A real treat.
even a moth can look beautiful! v nice.
Thank you! I never would have thought one we be so interesting like this, and beautiful.
That’s a good-looking and appropriately named moth. More colorful than most moths I’ve seen. Love the flowers too. That’s the color I’d pick, too. Some kind of geranium? I need to put some pots along the south side of my back deck. It gets full sun all day. One of the window boxes that sits on the railing.
Luckily it didn’t freeze like the weathermen said it would, so all the flowers pulled through fine.
Here’s a good reason to leave your computer a bit more in the future! The Sphinx Moth family if full of amazing beauties.
No kidding!