Not too long ago, coworker and friend Dave told me about a strange ‘hummingbird’ he had seen one night. After great deliberation his family decided it must be a hummingbird moth.

Today, while mowing my untamed lawn, I had the chance to see this magnificent creature for myself. As it buzzed around just like our hummingbirds, who seem to have disappeared now, I was able to snap a few pictures (below). It’s movements and sound are just like a hummingbird. This one was a little smaller then the average Ruby Throated we had hanging around and was good fun to watch.

These are great! Show me the large images for detail!

According to hummingbirdmoth.com this little bugger was a Hummingbird clearwing (Hemaris thysbe).

From hummingbirdmoth.com

This is also a Hummingbird Clearwing (Hemaris thysbe). This was the first Sphingidae family member we ever saw. At first we were just like you – thoroughly convinced this was a baby female ruby-throated hummingbird, but we just couldn’t explain away those antennae! He mimics the hummingbird perfectly; wings just a blur, zipping here and there. He appears from June through August; feeding at our phlox at midday, always alone. He is oblivious to people, allowing us within inches; but refuses to pose for the camera very long.