It is a bee, no it is a bird, no it is a super...

[Bluebottle]

...cool hummingbird hawkmoth

Met this fella while I was out in the field. While chasing the 'Browns' (yeah, it was a bad day as far as butterfly shooting is concerned), suddenly I noticed a bee like object zipping around. It was no longer than 3cm, hovering and zipping around the small white flowers. I managed to squeeze in some quick but blur shots. It looks like a hybrid between bee and hummingbird. Thanks Khew for the ID.




It has been previously discussed in this
thread

I managed to shoot a short video.
The following video contains violent (handshake) scene. Viewer discretion is advised

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ec6l_dmONk

[butterfly_effect]

what a wonderful encounter! Congratulations

[butterfly_effect]

read more abt it here: http://rmbr.nus.edu.sg/nis/bulletin2...09nis91-96.pdf

[Great Mormon]

the 2nd picture really shows why it is called the humming bird hawkmoth!

[The Plane]

Thanks Loke for posting this thread and Ellen for the article. It helps me solved a mystery in my mind. I had shot this before and had filed it under my birds folder and forgot about it until now

The one I encountered was bigger about 5 cm, I think. It really zips around like a humming bird.

Hope you don't mind I add my shot in your thread :

[butterfly_effect]

very nice. That looks like a male from the three-tufted tail!

[Bluebottle]

My second encounter with this amazing moth. Fair slightly better this time but still with a lot of rooms for improvement

[Yamfly]

My second encounter with this amazing moth. Fair slightly better this time but still with a lot of rooms for improvement

This is really a great shot Loke!! Now we can clearly see it is a moth.

[Peacock Royal]

Loke, you did well in shooting this difficult moth.
I was not able to get any decent shot in my last few attempts.

[simataempat]

Just want to share my sighting...



best wishes,
martin