letumgo 0 Report post Posted May 30, 2008 I saw this beautiful insect flying around my parents flower beds last weekend and I had to try to capture a photo of it to find out what it was. I am guessing that it is a Hummingbird Clearwing Moth (Hemaris Thysbe). What a cool looking little insect when you look at his wings (clear panels in smooth wings that are a blur to the naked eye) and body (kind of looked like a fuzzy crayfish body). I am very pleased that at least one of my photos turned out. I spent the weekend reading my copy of "Understanding Exposure" and taking photos of my parents flower garden. When I say this little guy zipping around, it gave me a great reason to play around with the shutter speed settings on the camera. I play around switching lenses on my the camera and getting the shutter speed/aperture/ISO settings dialed in to try to capture "stop" the wings. Any way, I thought you photo gurus might like to see this one too. High Resolution Version of Best Image Sorry for the double post (I also posted this in the Entomology section of this site), but I was proud that I was able to capture the image I set out to capture. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dart 0 Report post Posted May 30, 2008 That is a neat lookin' critter, Ray. He looks too fat to fly though. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Twofingerz 0 Report post Posted May 30, 2008 I did the same thing a couple of years ago with that same insect. saw it at some flowers and took some quick shots so I could research them and find out what they were. I saw mine on Grenell Island, up on the St. Lawrence. now every year when those flowers bloom I am on the lookout and haven't missed them yet. when I get home I will see if I still have the pics on one of my computers and post them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frogfish 0 Report post Posted May 30, 2008 I had one of those buzzing around my butterfly bush a few years back. I thought for sure it was a hummingbird, until I got closer and I saw that it had antennae! What neat insects. They do look like fuzzy crayfish. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ashby 0 Report post Posted May 31, 2008 Very amazing little moths. I have yet to see one here in CA but continue to look for them. Very nice shot. Ashby Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WYKnot 0 Report post Posted June 1, 2008 Nice picture, Ray, very vivid colors. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
