moth?

[Jeremy Roussak]

I have a feeling that someone identified this insect for me a while ago, but I've forgotten what it is. These were taken in southern France on a gloriously sunny afternoon a couple of weeks ago. They're heavily cropped, alas.

Comments?

Jeremy

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

It looks to me like a cross between a moth and a hummingbird, which is highly unlikely.
Mike, where are you?

[wmchauncey]

I don't know what they are but we have them in SE Michigan...never shot one though.
Would be interested to know your settings though.

[degrub]

Sphinx moth
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jean-jacquesboujot/5018941930/

Frank

[Jeremy Roussak]

I don't know what they are but we have them in SE Michigan...never shot one though.
Would be interested to know your settings though.

Canon 5DII, 70-200/f4 L IS at f8, 1/1250th, ISO640. Next time I go there, I'll remember to take my 100 macro.

Jeremy

[Jeremy Roussak]

Sphinx moth
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jean-jacquesboujot/5018941930/

Or (Eric, take note), the hummingbird hawk moth. Thanks, Frank.

Jeremy

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

Or (Eric, take note), the hummingbird hawk moth. Thanks, Frank.

Jeremy

Shucks! Every time I have a good idea, somebody else steals it first.      

[fike]

That is a really interesting critter.  Great job capturing the little guy in flight.  The composition isn't a strength of the image, and the "grain" (noise) in the background bokeh is distracting to me.

[wmchauncey]

Isn't it a darn shame that insects won't take the photographer into consideration when flying around searching for food.

[fike]

Isn't it a darn shame that insects won't take the photographer into consideration when flying around searching for food.

I can't possibly count the number of times I have made the exact same observation about those little buggers.

[Dave (Isle of Skye)]

Jeremy, it's a Humming Bird Hawk Moth (Macroglossum stellatarum) we get them in the UK as well, although I do believe they migrate over from France - more info here.

Dave

[Jeremy Roussak]

That is a really interesting critter.  Great job capturing the little guy in flight.  The composition isn't a strength of the image, and the "grain" (noise) in the background bokeh is distracting to me.

You're right, Marc. Other than cropping, I've done almost no processing (I posted them as ID shots) and I suspect I could improve the noise with only a little effort.

They're very difficult to shoot as they're constantly on the move. I was pleased to get even a few properly focussed images.

Eric, you forgot that there's a hawk included in the party 

Jeremy