I was in the kitchen this afternoon and thought I saw a hummingbird moth fly by the patio door. I grabbed my camera and went outside looking around the yard hoping to find it. I was delighted to see that it was indeed a hummingbird moth. My first one to see this year!
I was able to get a few pictures of them last summer and was hoping that I would see them again this year.
Usually I plant the lantana in pots on the patio, but this year I planted several in the ground. They are doing much better than the ones that are potted. This was the favorite of the clearwing moth.
I'll have to keep a closer eye on the lantana now that I know which plant it prefers.
34 comments:
Aren't they wonderful!? I remember the first time I saw one, I was sure it was a hummingbird. I finally got a good look at it while it was at my red salvia and realized it was a moth. When I told people about it, they already knew about them.:) Great pictures, really hard to get a good picture of them I would think.
Lovely pictures, I have seen these in my garden as well (or a similar species). I have been wanting to get some lantana, which I have seen in so many of the US blogs, for a while. Now you have given me another good reason to hunt some down for next year.
Best wishes Sylvia (England)
I am SO GLAD to see this. Awhile ago a friend and I saw this insect and began a debate on what it could be. Some kind of moth thingy was what I thought but she was certain that it was a bird. A BIRD? Maybe on another planet but certainly not on earth!
I have been so hoping to see a Hummingbird Moth in my garden this year on the Phlox but have had no luck. It's so good to see your pictures!
I saw where someone else referred to it as a Lobster Bug. lol!
Sharon
We have a ton of them right now in TN. They seem to be attracted to my Verbena and the butterfly bush. Pretty cool looking little guys aren't they!
These are really interesting creatures, Robin. I've never noticed one here before, but now I'm going to keep a close eye on my lantana...I have a few of the pinkish plants like yours.
Excellent hummingbird photos on your last post! I was so thrilled to get a few shots of hummingbirds this past week, but to get clear shots without the whirring wings is very difficult for me. I love watching them.
I did not even know those things existed! Wow, thanks for the photo because I would not have even imagined that!
They are wonderful to watch aren't they? They go to my liatris as lot and I've managed a few photos of them.
Here is my photo at The Gardener Side
what an awesome picture!
Okay, Robin, your photos are just too wonderful. Do you get that close to the moth, or do you use the zoom. I can spend a lot of time following butterflies and such around my garden and can never get them to sit long enough. You are amazing!
I thought my Clearwings weren't going to visit Our Little Acre this year either. They seemed to show up later than last year, but thankfully, they came back in number!
Robin, your photos are stunning, as usual. Your favorite is my favorite, too! Love them all!
Great photos! I haven't seen any this year, but I have my hopes up. Thanks for sharing yours.
I've been seeing them often lately, especially on the Monarda (bee balm). I got a few photos of one last week. It's hard, isn't it? They rarely stay still.
Robin, I've loved catching up and seeing your photos of all the creatures and flowers. I've had a hummer right in my face a couple of times this summer too :) They are such personable little birds. At the moment they like my flowers better than the feeders.
So sorry to hear about your husband's job loss. I'm praying he'll find a good position. Meanwhile, it sounds like you're staying positive and enjoying your garden and the little creatures :)
Wow, Robin - you got great photos of the moth. They are so cool, aren't they? And your Lantana is beautiful - I love those delicate colors all mixed together like Mother Nature's pre-packaged bouquet!
I love those moths. We have quite a few this year. I need a macro lens. Yes, I do.~~Dee
These moths are the closest thing I get to hummers. They are so neat, I can just sit & watch them til they fly away.
I LOVE these guys and get them on my lantana every summer as well. Last year a handsome couple actually coupled on my sidewalk for about half an hour. Guess they really liked each other. These are the coolest moths! GREAT shots of them - pretty lantana.
Until I saw your photo and a photo on one other blog this week I never knew what these were. I'm so glad you posted your photos.
Awesome photos Robin! They move so quickly they aren't easy to photograph! I've tried, but my shots always come out blurry.
Those are just the coolest things! Great capture Robin!
Once again I am in awe of your beautiful pictures! I am not the biggest fan of lantana but your pictures make it look gorgeous! I haven't seen any Clearwings this year in my garden. They are so much fun to watch.
Robin, I love watching the hummingbird moth almost as much as the hummingbird. I think they are less apt to be scared of us. What great pics!!
This is an insect that I've never seen before - I don't think they thrive in our clomate. Extraordinary pictures! You're a wizard with your camera!
/Katarina
Robin,
They are so cool! The ones I see around here only come out at dusk... and they seem to LOVE the pentas! I'm wondering if ours are the same as you've shown here.
You got some GREAT photos. VERY cute those little buzzing moths are!
This is a Sphinx Moth. Some have stripes, and some don't. I have seen only one in my life, in the evening a few years ago at a friend's garden. On my blog under the nicotiana post, there a link to a video someone took, so you can see the moth in action.
Fabulous photos! Really spectacularly clear look at the clear wings! They love the monarda in my garden but it's good to know about Lantana...I'm going to get a few plants from the sale tables to place where the monarda has faded. I posted a video on one of these guys a few posts back.
Gail
Fantastic pics of the hummingbird moth Robin! I also enjoyed your visit to the fair! (can you tell I'm playing catch up on your blog??) You captured a lot of images that I remember so well from childhood too.
Those guys are so cool. The one I caught last year was only out in the late evening and I had to time the photo by staking out a flower it was going to next. Great pictures!
They're beautiful! The first few photos are fantastic! Hi five! I know they are hard to photograph.
Thanks for the tip Robin, I will get some lantana for the pots my garden next year to attract these moths. We have them here too although it's very rare to see them. I saw one in my garden last year and for a heart stopping moment I thought that a real hummingbird had come to visit me. Alas ..... but hey, those moths are pretty spectacular too. Great pics!
What outstanding photos of the Moth. I would love to see one in our garden.
Fantastic photos! I had never heard of a hummingbird moth and figured it was because I am in the UK but I just googled it and apparently we have them over here to. I will be looking out for them!
You have such beautiful pictures on your blog! What kind of camera do you have?
I see you're from Indiana. Have you read the moth and nature classic "A girl of the Limberlost" by Gene Stratton-Porter? Set in Indiana and first published in 1909, the book is still in print. You can read it for free along with her other works on the internet. (Also of interest, "The song of the cardinal" by the same author.)
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