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

...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.

http://i462.photobucket.com/albums/q...g?t=1262001237
http://i462.photobucket.com/albums/q...g?t=1262001258

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 :bsmile:

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

what a wonderful encounter! Congratulations:)

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

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

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 :embrass:

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 :

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4023/...b9cccd1a_o.jpg

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

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

http://i462.photobucket.com/albums/q...g?t=1287995621

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rwalker

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

http://i462.photobucket.com/albums/q...g?t=1287995621

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

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

Just want to share my sighting...
http://www.weebly.com/uploads/3/6/6/...34/3403700.jpg


best wishes,
martin

Quote:

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Originally Posted by butterfly_effect

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

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Thanks for sharing this article, Ellen.

Just realise that this moth does have the similiar hook-liked antenae like our beloved skipper.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by simataempat

Just want to share my sighting...
http://www.weebly.com/uploads/3/6/6/...34/3403700.jpg


best wishes,
martin

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Congratulations, Martin. You have shot a completely different species there, Cephonodes hylas hylas. There is a second member of this genus found on Sumatra (and on the Peninsular), C. picus, but P. hylas can be distinguished by the white underside of the thorax.

This Hummingbird Hawkmoth stopped in front of me, and it looked nothing like a Humming bird in this state.

OH... looks better in flight that's for sure!

Thanks for sharing this stationed Hummingbird Hawkmoth. Like what Ellen said, it looks much better when it is in flight. this will not interest me to shoot it. ;-p