For All You Butterfly Lovers, This Is NOT a Butterfly!

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For All You Butterfly Lovers, This Is NOT a Butterfly!

For All You Butterfly Lovers, This Is NOT a Butterfly!

Type species = Sphinx ligustri Sphingidae is a family of moths (Lepidoptera), commonly known as hawk moths, sphinx moths and hornworms, that includes about 1,200 species. They're distinguished among moths for their rapid, sustained flying ability. Some hawk moths, like the hummingbird hawk moth, HOVER in midair while they feed on nectar from flowers and are sometimes mistaken for hummingbirds. Sphingids have been studied for their flying ability, especially their ability to move rapidly from side-to-side while hovering, called 'swing- hovering.' Some of the sphingids are some of the FASTEST flying insects, capable of flying at OVER 50 km/hour (30 miles per hour). The normal wingspan is 35-150 mm. Some species fly only for short periods of time around dusk or dawn, while other species only appear later in the evening and others around midnight. But such species may occasionally be seen feeding at flowers during the day. As seen here, this Sphinx Moth was feeding on a brilliant sunflower during the middle of the day along the southern banks of Arizona's Verde River. Taken on August 31, 2008 (Summer's almost gone ... :(
lcarreau
on Sep 3, 2008 5:23 pm
Lat/Lon: 34.46765°N / 111.7907°W
Image Type(s): Hiking,  Wildlife,  Flora,  Informational,  Scenery
Image ID: 438763

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lcarreau

lcarreau - Oct 5, 2008 8:51 pm - Hasn't voted

Re: Wow

Thanks, Byron! I still need to invest in a
good digital camera with a macro-shot
adjustment. I was really lucky on this one!!!

If it wasn't for bad luck, I wouldn't have any luck at all. How is your better half doing???

We moved from Payson to Cottonwood - only 75
miles apart. Geez, I hate to move! REGARDS!

Larry

lcarreau

lcarreau - Oct 6, 2008 9:33 pm - Hasn't voted

Re: Wow

There's always good hiking on public lands.
We live next to THREE National Forests and
two National Monuments. We can't grow any corn, though. My wife buys RICE at the grocers.

Sometimes, you have to ADAPT to the situation
that is placed in front of you. -Larry

lcarreau

lcarreau - Oct 7, 2008 6:52 pm - Hasn't voted

Re: Wow

Thanks, (OMB - Byron!) - The Holiday season
is just around the corner!!

Anybody for rice pudding??? :)

slowbutsteady

slowbutsteady - Jun 27, 2010 4:58 pm - Voted 10/10

camera settings?

Great image. Would you happen to know camera settings, especially shutter speed to capture such a fast moving subject? I would think a very high speed would have been required to get a sharp image. Thanks.

lcarreau

lcarreau - Jun 27, 2010 9:05 pm - Hasn't voted

Re: camera settings?

I was using a different camera back then,
and my brain cells don't allow me the power
to remember the exact setting.

However, a recent dragonfly photo, taken in
the Philippines, allows me the luxury to
point out the ISO-setting of # 800.

I am currently using a Canon PowerShot SX110
with a 10x-zoom and macro-setting.

When I zoom in on the subject, I have a
difficult time with the focus, unless I have
an ISO of 800 or lower.

You're very welcome.


Viewing: 1-5 of 5