Hummingbird Moth: These large moths are often mistaken for hummingbirds. Most of us are surprised when we find out that they are very frequent garden visitors. They are creatures of...

Ugly Hedgehog - Photography Forum

Home Active Topics Newest Pictures Search Login Register ☰

Hummingbird Moth

Page 1 of 3 next> last>>

Jul 6, 2013 10:08:51 #

bob_71 Loc: Severna Park, MD

These large moths are often mistaken for hummingbirds. Most of us are surprised when we find out that they are very frequent garden visitors. They are creatures of habit and usually can be found, day after day, at the same flowers at about the same time of day.

Shooting them requires a little practice...their wingbeats are amazingly fast. Trial and error will allow you to find the degree of wing blur that pleases you. I personally like just the slight blur that occurs at shutter speeds of 1/640 or 1/800. Try some and select the setting that pleases you. The shutter settings are posted with the pictures as a guide.

Thanks for looking and hope that they help you get started with your own good shots of this most interesting moth.

Bob

Shutter 1/320

Shutter 1/640

Shutter 1/640 Camera Sony DSC-H5

Shutter 1/800

Shutter 1/1600

This one perched (No wingbeat) Rare sight!

Jul 6, 2013 10:23:01 #

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

Stunning images and such helpful camera setting information--thanks for sharing!!

Jul 6, 2013 11:45:34 #

bob_71 Loc: Severna Park, MD

Thanks for your comments, dmeyer2m!

Bob

Jul 6, 2013 12:16:47 #

Doddy Loc: Barnard Castle-England

Bob they are stunning images...never ever seen those creatures before.

Jul 6, 2013 13:46:14 #

bob_71 Loc: Severna Park, MD

Doddy, I believe these are referred to as Bee Hawk Moths in Britain. The most prevalent of these is the Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk Moth (Hemaris tityus).

In the US, the two most frequently seen members of the sphinx-moth group are the Strawberry Clearwing Moth (Hemaris diffinis) and the Hummingbird Clearwing Moth (Hemaris thysbe). The one pictured in my post are all the Strawberry Clearwing.

Thanks for your comments!

Bob

Jul 6, 2013 13:52:01 #

Reed123 Loc: Henderson,Texas

Excellent capture.

Jul 6, 2013 16:35:34 #

bob_71 Loc: Severna Park, MD

Thanks for taking the time to post, Reed123!

Bob

Jul 6, 2013 17:07:29 #

treslek Loc: London

what a beautiful creature and the picture,s do it credit thank you for sharing :}

Jul 6, 2013 17:11:24 #

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

bob_71 wrote:

These large moths are often mistaken for hummingbi... (show quote)

That is strange!

Jul 6, 2013 17:48:09 #

bob_71 Loc: Severna Park, MD

jerryc41, I appreciate your taking time to post!

Bob

Jul 7, 2013 08:04:22 #

sands Loc: Jacksonville, FL

bob_71 wrote:

These large moths are often mistaken for hummingbi... (show quote)

Excellent shots! I, too, have never heard of one of these. Must be pretty large to be mistaken for a hummingbird. Thanks for the info...

Jul 7, 2013 08:11:05 #

GregB Loc: Staatsburg NY

Great shots!.... I'll have to keep a better eye out for these. Beautiful.

Jul 7, 2013 08:16:28 #

GregB Loc: Staatsburg NY

Great shots!.... I'll have to keep a better eye out for these. Beautiful.

Jul 7, 2013 09:16:33 #

bob_71 Loc: Severna Park, MD

sands, they are larger than a bumblebee but slightly smaller than a hummingbird.

Their movements are way more agile than a bee...much more like those of most hummingbirds.

Thanks for the post.

Bob

Jul 7, 2013 09:19:08 #

bob_71 Loc: Severna Park, MD

GregB, once you have realized that you have seen one, you'll never forget them!

Thanks for your comments.

Bob

Page 1 of 3 next> last>>

If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.

Photo Gallery

Home | Latest Digest | Back to Top | All Sections

UglyHedgehog.com - Forum