Hummingbird Moth?

[Nightwalker]

I was on the balcony and photographed this animal, I was amazed at it! I've never seen anything like it. The size of a large moth it looked like a miniture hummingbird. I've never seen a hummingbird in my life, but this was brilliant to see:

I'll research what it is tonight when I return from work.

 

[led]

It's a Hummingbird Hawkmoth, wonderful things.

 

[Tantalus]

Yup its a hummingbird hawkmoth.

Should be back same time tomorrow, not sure if they have a route they follow or just a daily routine of certain flowers at certain times but they can be quite punctual.

Enjoy

Tant

 

[British Red]

Wonderful photos - never seen one in the flesh.

Thanks for sharing

Red

 

[fredcraft]

Impressive,

I'm used to hummingbird sightings, but I never saw that moth !

 

[JonnyP]

Nice one, well done on getting a picture, they are pretty quick....I am out mothing this thursday, hope to catch lots...

 

[Nightwalker]

Yeah it was tricky to catch a decent snap. It is an amazing creature; its wings beating so fast they were just a blur whilst its body stayed precisely in the same place and then as it got to its desired flower it would unravel a thin black tube to pull the nectar out. Thanks for comments and identifying it.

 

[Nightwalker]

Here's a great photo (not mine) :

 

[twisted firestarter]

The night before last this fine specimen flew into the house attracted by the light and after landing briefly on my computer it settled on the carpet.



I tried to switch the flash off to capture the colour better but it was quicker than me and was gone into the night sky, I looked it up and it is an elephant hawkmoth- the photo doesn't do justice to the vibrant colouring which was spectacular, what a privilege

 

[Nightwalker]

That looks amazing,

 

[twisted firestarter]

Thanks. I have seen these before, must be the local species. Next time I'll make it my mission to get a proper photo

 

[Ketchup]

Hummingbird moths are a novelty here in Brussel. They're around since a few years. Never saw them before. Climate change or Darwinian luck?

 

[dave k]

I've had hummingbird moth's every year since moving to Dorset. They like the big flowering shrub that I leave to overgrow each summer / autum in the front garden. Last year had 4-5 of them at one time.

They really move!!

 

[Nightwalker]

They really move!!

Yeah, the one pictured is the only one I've seen but he could move dead fast when he wanted! Hard to get a good macro shot.