Macroglossum stellatarum – I feel quite privileged to have been able to take these photographs of this splendid hawk-moth. I took them quite a few years ago with my first digital camera purchase back in the summer of 2005, and haven’t been able to capture one in flight and feeding since back then. A spectacular brightly coloured diurnal moth which can be seen sipping nectar in full sunlight with its extraordinary long proboscis. It looks and sounds like a hummingbird as it feeds from tubular flowers such as Red Valerian, Buddleia, Lilac, and the like.
Copyright: Peter Hillman
Camera used: Sony Cybershot DSC-W1
Date taken: 21st August 2005
Place: Rear garden, Staffordshire
Aren’t these creatures wonderful?! We see them very occasionally at our cottage.
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They sure are 🙂 I haven’t seen one here for some years now.
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Nice one Pete, so difficult to photograph.
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Thank you, Brian. Yes, they are so quick … there one second … gone the next!
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The only species I’ve ever seen is the white-lined hawk moth, which has a little pink to go with its white lines. I think they’re quite common north of Houston, and they may be more common here than I realize. They’re fantastic creatures!
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They are fantastic creatures, Linda, and I wish I got to see more of them.
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What a long proboscis!
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Looks like an interesting little creature – I am sure this moth is hard to capture with a camera.
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I was lucky back then with these shots as they move so fast and don’t always stay long. This one must of been hungry as he stayed longer than most.
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Wonderful pictures! I always wanted to see one and last late summer I saw one up here on the 3rd floor, but only for a few seconds. It was looking for nectar, but there wasn’t much left. Nevertheless I was sooo happy 🙂 I hope for a coming back!
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Thank you 🙂 I hoe you get a return visit!
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Yes, please 🙂
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We occasionally see hummingbird moths here. Probably a different variety.
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Wonderful, Pete. You can even see its little eye.
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Thank you, Jill. I think he was so intent on feeding he didn’t notice me snapping away.
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Such extraordinary creatures! Always an exciting find. 😊
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Thank you!
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Beautiful!
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Thank you, Anki 🙂
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You are a lucky person, Pete. They are so difficult to capture and you shot some beautiful pictures.
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I was lucky, Greta, than you 🙂
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We’ve got hummingbird moths visiting our bee balm every year…hummingbirds too. They are a real challenge to photograph and you’ve done well with these.
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It’s jus luck of the draw getting shots of these, they are so quick. Thank you, Steve 🙂
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I feel privileged viewing them! 👏
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Thank you, Julie 🙂
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