Wednesday 7 September 2016

Hummingbird Hawk Moth

The first time I saw this amazing creature, I was convinced it was the tiniest hummingbird. It hovered in the air, wings beating almost too fast to see, while it visited the flowers to feed on the sweetness inside. Hummingbirds in the middle of France? Was that even possible? There were so many of these tiny creatures flitting about the flowering shrub in front of the restaurant we visited with the family last year, we all stood there absolutely fascinated by these fabulous things. We weren't the only ones, there were other people, who stopped to watch the incredible display. Some were convinced they were tiny birds, others were convinced they were insects of some sort. So we researched and found out that they were indeed tiny moths, which looked and behaved just like humming birds - Hummingbird Hawk Moths.

Imagine my absolute delight, when my DH very excitedly called to me a few days ago, pointing to a Hummingbird Hawk Moth in our own garden! On my flowering pot plants! I grabbed my camera, and tried to photograph it, with no success whatsoever, lol, it was so fast, moving from plant to plant, from flower to flower. All I got was blur, lol. Andy read up on the moth again, and found out that they like their routine, visiting the same plants around the same time each day. So the next day the camera was ready and I didn't have to wait too long before the moth appeared again. And I finally, finally managed to get some shots -


















Toodlepip xxx

7 comments:

Karen B. said...

Oh dear Liz,
thank you for sharing these amazing photographs.
Many hugs,
Karen B. ~ Todolwen

Elizabethd said...

I've never seen them in England, but our garden in Brittany was always full of them. So pretty!

Roosterhead Designs said...

Hi Liz! So glad to see you posted : )
I am sure I've seen these (or something quite like them)
Here in CO, USA.
I too thought it was a teeny hummingbird!
Thanks for the gorgeous photos~
Karen O

Judys Lace Creations said...

OOh how special is this Liz. When we take the time to look at Nature carefully, there are little miracles everywhere aren't there?
We are enjoying Spring blossoms where I live, and the streets look like a little Wonderland.

Julia @ Vintage with Laces said...

They are really amazing, Lizzie. I've seen some here too, not this year though.
Have a lovely day! :)
Hugs,
Julia

Betsy said...

Liz,
I love your beautiful photographs! It has been years since we saw one of those just outside our quiet room window. I was ill and sitting on the love seat getting some sunshine through the front window and all of a sudden it flew up to the coral bell flowers and buzzed and flapped so quickly! Geneil was still at home at the time and she and I had been chatting while i relaxed and we were so amazed at the beauty of this little creature! Your photos reminded me of that experience that day!
such beautiful blossoms you have as well!
hugs, dear girl!
Betsy

Rhonda said...

That moth DOES look like a hummingbird, that is amazing!