A few days ago, I spotted what I thought was a hummingbird partaking of a nectar smoothie from the out-of-control bush shielding our over-sized living room window. But once I got a better glimpse, I realized it wasn’t a hummingbird. Its body looked liked that of a giant bee, its wings moved like a hummingbird’s and it had a long, straw-like proboscis. An internet search revealed that I wasn’t the only person to be taken in by this imposter. Although strictly speaking, its name is Common Clearwing, its colloquial name is Hummingbird Moth. And yes, its wings actually make a humming sound, at least according to the online information. I couldn’t hear it through the window.
That was the easy part. Getting a picture was much more difficult. Every time I got near the window and readied my iPad, it was gone. After a number of tries, the day passed with no pictures. The next time was too dark. Finally today, it returned. I went into stealth mode, actually managing a few iPad pictures, but the wings were moving much too fast for even Apple’s vaunted camera. I hustled upstairs, grabbed my Nikon and waited patiently by the window.
The moth played coy for some time, hiding behind flowers or so far away I couldn’t zoom in close enough. But I finally got a few shots of this unique moth and, after enlarging and cropping, here for your viewing pleasure is the elusive hummingbird moth.
This, that and the other thing 
Your persistence paid off! WOW!!!
Thanks! It just keeps coming back and I actually did see a real hummingbird out there, too, but that zoomed off much too quickly and I didn’t have the camera ready.
janet
Janet, we’re new to one another and I look forward to knowing you. Have a great day! We’re blessed with so many gifts in nature.
Glad you’re here and I’m looking forward to getting to know you better, too. As for nature, God’s created some amazing things, that’s for sure, and for the most part, I enjoy seeing them. 🙂 Our trip through Yellowstone recently (lots of posts on that) was a chance to see nature close-up and beautiful, too.
janet
In better moments of health; I look forward to spending some time reviewing your archives. It’s like a treasure hunt! Have a great day!
BTW, so glad you’re betting treatment finally! Praying that it goes well and per Bill’s suggestion, I’ll post the links for the Yellowstone posts in your blog if you like.
Thank you. I am praying to know my old physical self in time; meanwhile, friends carry me here through all I see and read. By all means, add in a link.
So cool! I saw someone sharing a photograph of that insect too on their blog a few months ago. I just can’t remember who it was…
It looks a bit like an overweight hummingbird with one of the old-time jail outfits on, the ones with the stripes.
janet
Looks quite threatening 🙂
If it were the size of a hawk, or even a pigeon, it would look much more threatening, although I could envision a good horror story of them trying to suck people’s brains out through their ears. 🙂
janet
I saw this on TV the other day. It’s a humming bird moth
I read that after I posted my comment. I was fascinated when they had it on TV. So glad you managed to capture one on camera
Me, too! It was driving me crazy to have such a cool thing so close and not be able to get a picture. And thank goodness for being able to enlarge and crop. 🙂
janet
Yeah. Enlarge and crop is a godsend 😀
that looks creepy
🙂 A FF photo, perhaps?
janet
that would be great because there are endless interpretations. giant creature attacks japan or alien mutation come to mind first.
Why is it that so many alien creatures are giant insects? I supposed because we think they’re creepy and much more so when large. My nightmare would be huge alien millipedes. Yuk!!
Great photos…the second one is incredible!
Thanks a lot! As I said before, thank goodness for being able to enlarge and crop. That helps a lot.
janet
That is amazing, darling! I thought moths were nocturnal! (But then, I’m not entomologist, so what do I know?) Great pictures
From what I read, this moth is different. It even comes out in the rain, which I can attest to based on its appearance yesterday. I guess it’s the rebel moth. 🙂
janet
Wow nice job with the stealth mode. That is not easy to capture. Love it!
Thanks. I was getting really annoyed that I couldn’t catch it with the camera. Now I feel much better. 🙂
janet
glad you caught it/ hate it when I have an idea for a shot and the subject leaves…
So rude, don’t you think? And this one kept tantalizing me by coming around, then leaving, coming back and leaving.
GREAT CAPTURE Janet M. Webb 2013. All the stealth paid off ! Can’t believe you got the tongue in action !!
I think that proboscis is just out there all the time. But quite amazing and yes, I’m glad stealth paid off. In this case, it would be difficult to describe it properly without the photos, although I would have had to use one from the internet. More fun to have my own.
janet
I would be proud as a peacock too! That tongue..I doubt it’s actually called a tongue..
Nope, a proboscis.
Ahhhhhh yes ! I knew that from a long time ago !
Amazing shot! Gotta be really fast with the trigger to catch those guys. I saw them once by my butterfly bushes and was amazed, because they really do look like hummingbirds. What deceptive little moths they are!
Hi, Hannah. I think that moth wants to stick its proboscis into that ice cream you talked abut today! :-). They’re pretty amazing all right and I was thrilled to finally get a couple of decent shots.
En ploy your weekend.
janet
hey
i’m online for a very fast wifi and am glad to have seen this! wow, that’s a great post!
i hope to be online on tues or wed in not so hurried mode!
soon,
z
Z, nice of you to buzz in. 🙂 Hope you’re having fun and I’ll look forward to your return.
janet
[…] Although the bush doesn’t literally grow butterflies, it attracts them with enough frequency that it might as well. It also attracts hummingbirds, bees of all sorts, and funky hummingbird hawk-moths. […]