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White-lined Sphinx
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White-lined Sphinx

by Howard Cheek

Gallery: Macro & Close-upPosted September 12, 201184 views11 comments
As soon as the sun sets, large White-lined Sphinx (Hyles lineata) moths will emerge, like nocturnal hummingbirds..These amazing fliers can be seen zooming around the garden and hovering before flowers as they sip nectar. Occasionally, these hummingbird-like moths can even be seen during the daytime, especially late in the season.
F/16, 1/125th, ISO 500, 1D M3, Sigma 150mm & fill flash in partial shade around 10:00am yesterday.

Comments

11 comments
Comment posted by Carolyn Derstine on September 12, 2011 at 11:16 AM
Stunning photo, Howard. Great comp, DOF choice, and lighting. I like the eye view of the moth. The moth needs to share top billing with that beautiful red flower though; that red almost steals the show! For that reason, I might suggest a crop off the right side. However, it is just beautiful as is too!
Registered on February 16, 2011, 610 Posts, 3684 Comments
Comment posted by Matt Cole on September 12, 2011 at 11:21 AM
that's an impressive looking moth and lovely and sharp throughout. It's large in the frame which is a plus for me (but I know others don't always agree) and the composition looks good.

Matt :toast:
Registered on February 18, 2008, 17 Posts, 267 Comments
Comment posted by Ingrid Vekemans on September 12, 2011 at 11:37 AM
Excellent shot - good lighting!
:toast:
Registered on August 2, 2010, 138 Posts, 780 Comments
Comment posted by Charlie Baugh on September 12, 2011 at 3:54 PM
Like it, Howard. You caught a men look in it's eye.
Registered on April 18, 2011, 329 Posts, 1985 Comments
Comment posted by Fabio Giarrizzo on September 13, 2011 at 1:29 PM
Great capture, Howard- It's always a tough task catching a hawkmoth other than the hummingbird species, ad you've done an excellent job with this one (curiously H. lineata, not very common in general, is the only Hyles species I can find on my garden at times)- I hope to photograph it some day (or its beautiful caterpillar)- Ciao, Fabio
Registered on December 3, 2010, 90 Posts, 1614 Comments
Comment posted by Christine Jackson on September 13, 2011 at 4:12 PM
Howard,

What a neat critter! Excellent use of fill flash. Very nice capture!

Chrisie Jackson
Denver, Colorado
Registered on September 19, 2010, 20 Posts, 244 Comments
Comment posted by Gary Yeoh on September 13, 2011 at 9:23 PM
Howard:
Great capture. Tack sharp, excellent details of the moth and perch, sweet bg. :toast:
Registered on September 1, 2009, 588 Posts, 8184 Comments
Comment posted by Ray Whitt on September 13, 2011 at 11:30 PM
Another outstanding image Howard, love the colors.

Ray
Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments
Comment posted by Verdon on September 13, 2011 at 11:33 PM
nice colors, light and detail. nicely done! :wavey:
Registered on June 10, 2011, 147 Posts, 1444 Comments
Comment posted by Jude Haase on September 14, 2011 at 9:44 PM
Beautiful shot with lots of detail!! Congrats!!! :toast:
Registered on April 3, 2006, 236 Posts, 1657 Comments
Comment posted by Monica Siri on September 16, 2011 at 12:26 PM
Howard,
beautiful pose, colors and light. Wonderful detail on that moth and great flash work. :toast: :wavey:
Registered on September 20, 2009, 132 Posts, 3764 Comments