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Tuesday, 3 August 2010
More butterflies and a moth
Here's a few more pictures of some butterflies that are congregating at my Buddleja. Even I can identify the Red Admiral and the Swallowtail, but there is also what I understand to be a moth, that flies just like a hummingbird but which is about as long as the tip knuckle on my little finger. As you will see, it's hard to capture in a photograph. Any ideas as to its identity?
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Hummingbird Hawk Moth in all probability
ReplyDeleteYep, looked it up, that's the one. Their photographs are better than mine, though :)
ReplyDeleteAmazing photos AGAIN! My little boy has just got into moths and butterflies since the moth and butterfly people at the park gave him a poster. he's often in the back garden identifying.
ReplyDeletenice to see you again Codgi
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The top right hand photo was the one that evoked that commemt. you didn't ask the moths to sit still enough did you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments Molls! When I see the Swallowtail on flowers, it usually looks like it's backwards: the tail looks like its head, down to the shape of the wings that look like they're on the wrong way round. I guess that's its defence mechanism.
ReplyDeleteGlad you like the top right pic, I hope your son enjoys them too.
Red admiral; scarce swallowtail (I think)and hummingbird hawk moth. The hawkmoths fly in the night as well as day and almost certainly you will have other large species
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mark. I am fairly sure that the butterfly is a swallowtail; I photographed one last year, and this one is the same, though it's hard to tell from this picture. They don't seem to be particularly scarce here, though, I can see one most times I look out of the window at the bush.
ReplyDeleteI have never seen the hawkmoths at night, but to b fair I haven't really looked. I have seen some rather large moths in the morning though, a couple of inches across. They sometimes come into the gîte if the windows are open and I have to put them outside.
I always love your close up butterflies, shame you didn't get a good one of the hummingbird moth though. They are so interesting to watch, very strange creatures!
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