As I approached a patch of thistle in bloom on Tuesday, I was looking carefully to see if there were any butterflies feeding on the flowers. Suddenly I noticed a flash of bright red and realized immediately that it was a Hummingbird Clearwing Moth (Hemaris thysbe).
Hummingbird Clearwing moths, which actually do resemble hummingbirds as they dart among the flowers, hovering periodically to such nectar, are not exactly rare where I live, but I tend to see them only a few times a year. Fortunately I reacted quickly enough to capture this image, because the moth flew out of sight after it had finished feeding on this flower.
For shots like this, the wing position is really important and I was thrilled that I was able to capture the wings fully extended, which highlights the transparent portions of the wing responsible the common name of this species. The details of the moth and the thistle are pretty sharp and the background is blurred enough that it is not a distraction—I like this shot a lot.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Very nice Mike! Always fun to photograph Hummingbird Moths!
Thanks, Reed. They are fun to photograph, but pretty speedy and elusive. However, they do hover, so that helps at time for me to catch up with them.
Fantastic photo! They are so hard to capture, and with your quickness you were able to get the outstretched wings and the clear wing in view. Great to have good light and lots of color as well. We do not usually get this species in California, so this was really a treat, Mike. Thank you.
Thanks so much, Jet. By this time of the summer my reaction time is really good and I am able to get off a shot pretty quickly when I see a subject. During the winter, when I am photographing birds, I usually have more time to get ready, because I see my subjects from much farther away and then have to move towards them. With insects, I am frequently almost on top of them before I see them and have to react quickly before they fly or crawl away.
Great capture, Mike! They are interesting aren’t they?
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These little hummingbird moths are endlessly fascinating to watch, sort of like a combination between a hummingbird and a butterfly. 🙂
Wonderful shot!
Thanks, Laura. I was a bit surprised it turned out so well, given the way I had to scramble to get a shot.
They are just so cool looking!!
I like this shot too: the composition, the colours, the muted background. I was amazed at the transparent sections of the wings showing the thistle! Brilliant, Mike!
Thanks, Chris. I often focus on the technical aspects of my photos, but I am always thinking of them from an artistic perspective too. This image manages to combine both of those aspects pretty well.
Gorgeous photo!
Thanks. It is always cool to spot hummingbird moths. 🙂