Magical Hummingbird Clearwing Moth

Sometimes the pace of life can be just so daunting that it is near impossible to simply slow up and smell the flowers. Well, one spring, as we prepared to smell the Lilac blossoms, this magical Hummingbird Clearwing Moth appeared out of nowhere and stole the show.

Hummingbird Clearwing Moths are so named because they act more or less like actual hummingbirds. Unlike most butterflies and moths that land on flowers, Hummingbird Clearwing Moths hover above and beside the blossoms from which they collect nectar. They even use their little legs to tap the flowerheads so they can taste the nectar.

Given the size and darting movements of this Moth, taking its photo through a camera lens was no easy task. These moths travel at about 12 mph, and their flashing wings move up and down at 70 strokes a minute.

As is often the case, we rarely stop photographing a subject to study it when it places itself in front of our lens.

On this occasion, however, we took the time to appreciate its delicate beauty as it moved quickly from one Lilac flower to another. At one point, this Hummingbird Clearwing Moth flew close enough that the wind from its wings tickled the hair on my face.

With wings dancing on the air, this little jewel of nature vanished in its pursuit of nectaring from other blossoms.  Sometimes, we are blessed with mere seconds of Mother Nature’s beauty.

Frame To Frame – Bob and Jean