Hummingbird Moths
Dec 19, 2014 09:13:33 #
Hummingbird moths (family sphingidae; genus hemaris) are medium sized moths that hover like hummingbirds when feeding. The ones I see are clearwing varieties, which have transparent wings. They seem to be preferentially attracted to purple flowers, particularly verbena bonariensis (Brazilian verbena).
Dec 19, 2014 09:14:26 #
Very cool! Don't know if I've seen one of these critters in person. Your images are lovely.
Welcome to the forum!
Welcome to the forum!
Dec 19, 2014 09:25:45 #
Linda From Maine wrote:
Very cool! Don't know if I've seen one of these critters in person. Your images are lovely.
Welcome to the forum!
Welcome to the forum!
Thanks. According to Wikipedia these are found from the east coast to the northern west coast of North America and into Canada.
I don't see a lot of them. The larval stage is a variety of hornworm. I grow a lot of tomatoes so that may also be an attractant.
Dec 19, 2014 10:38:54 #
Dec 19, 2014 12:17:47 #
NormanHarley wrote:
... Flying things are always such a challenge for me.
That's why I have 853 shots of the space where the flying things used to be.
Dec 19, 2014 18:45:52 #
Very pretty shots of a very hard subject to shoot, and welcome to closeup, DirtFarmer. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your images.
DirtFarmer wrote:
Hummingbird moths (family sphingidae; genus hemaris) are medium sized moths that hover like hummingbirds when feeding. The ones I see are clearwing varieties, which have transparent wings. They seem to be preferentially attracted to purple flowers, particularly verbena bonariensis (Brazilian verbena).
Dec 22, 2014 21:27:59 #
Dec 24, 2014 06:49:58 #
Dec 25, 2014 03:43:31 #
Dec 26, 2014 13:36:06 #
Very funny Normanharley. That will keep me chuckling the rest of the day. beautiful shots though but would like some specifics on equipment, exposures and I know the amount of time it takes to get these shots - including all 853 exposures for one great shot. Do you use a softbox or reflectors on these shots. I like to do hummingbirds.
Dec 26, 2014 13:46:11 #
sureshot10 wrote:
...would like some specifics on equipment, exposures and I know the amount of time it takes to get these shots - including all 853 exposures for one great shot. Do you use a softbox or reflectors on these shots. I like to do hummingbirds.
Camera settings are all different for the different shots, but should be in the EXIF data. They were taken with a D3 or D4.
No flash. These are all in sunlight. Many of the shots are at high ISO (4000-10000) to get the highest shutter speed at f/11 or so. These things move around so much you may not be focused on the right spot when the shutter actually opens so I use a high f/ number. The wings are going at around 30 flaps/second so I want a high shutter speed. Many of the shots I had the camera set to 10 frames/second to try to get several shots. I then picked the best one(s).
When I saw one of these critters I would follow it around the field. Eventually it would get used to me and concentrate on feeding instead of trying to get away from me. They seem to like blue or purple flowers, and prefer Verbena bonariensis.
Dec 26, 2014 13:58:42 #
Excellent Dirt ........... Seems to be the same with hummingbirds and it may take several seasons of being around hummers to get them used to you. Not only do the adults return over the years but their young'ins come back too. Just call me uncle hummer.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.