Hummingbird Clearwing Moth, approaching
Hemaris thysbe
Hummingbird Clearwing Moth · Brooklyn Botanic Garden · 24 August 2025
A Hummingbird Clearwing coming in to a phlox head in the August border, wings blurred with speed and the long proboscis already uncurling ahead of the body. It is a day-flying hawkmoth of gardens and woodland edge across the eastern United States, and a phlox bed in late summer is where it feeds.
Close enough in size, colour and flight style to a hummingbird that most people's first reaction on seeing one is to double-check it is actually a moth. It is, and it flies by day in full sun, which very few hawkmoths do.
Birds, insects, plants and other wildlife, mostly from Brooklyn, with some from further afield.
Every photograph comes with notes on what it is.
Selected
Favourite shots. Filter by subject, or .
Places
Everything, by where it was taken.
Species
Larger catalogue of photos organized by species of animal or plant.
Catalogue
Every photograph, newest first. Narrow it by period, place or species; the three work together.
Updates
Coming soon. Sign up at the bottom of the page for updates.