Yesterday as I was exploring at Jackson Miles Abbott Wetland Refuge I came across one of my favorite insects, a Hummingbird Clearwing Moth (Hemaris thysbe). These spectacular insects act like a cross between a bee and a hummingbird, although they look more like a flying crayfish. They move really quickly, so I was thrilled to capture this image that gives a clear view of the moth’s transparent wings.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved
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I, too, am thrilled on the occasion when I see this glorious insect…but they are super fast. This photo is astounding, Mike.
Thanks, Jet. When I first spotted it, I thought it was a really big bee, but once it started moving from flower to flower I could see what it was and I got pretty excited. I took a lot of shots and in most of them the moth is obscured by the flowers, but a few came out pretty well, including the one that I posted here.