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Hummingbird Moth
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Hummingbird Moth



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Hummingbird Moth

Hummingbird Moth
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cameraNIKON D500

settings Aperture 56/10 ISO 1600 Shutter 1/2500 Focal Length 500/1 

locationDarnestown, Maryland, US

upload_dateAug, 2021

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232

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6 Comments |
VLJ_PHOTOGRAPHY Platinum
 
VLJ_PHOTOGRAPHY September 08, 2021
Spectacular capture……so beautiful!
RSeanC Platinum
 
RSeanC October 06, 2021
Amazing shot
maximkalinin
 
maximkalinin March 03, 2022
Looks like shrimp
CSArt
 
CSArt September 14, 2022
A fantastic Shot!!! Very skillful work
delilahmarierivera PRO+
 
delilahmarierivera December 19, 2023
Amazing
jfrid Ultimate
 
jfrid December 20, 2023
Thank you, Delilahmarierivera. I have only seen these types of moth occasionally. I was happy to fine one in the act of feeding.

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Tags

#plant #insect #animal #invertebrate #flower #blossom #hummingbird moth
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Behind The Lens

Location

I am fortunate to live on a suburban property backed-up to a wooded lot providing privacy. We have hundreds of flowering plants throughout the yard. One is a Butterfly Bush resplendent with pink blossoms. It attracts various nectar loving insects. One fine afternoon while pursuing a pair of competing Tiger Swallowtail butterflies, this lovely and strange Hummingbird Moth appeared flying from blossom to blossom as I watched for it to settle down for a snack.

Time

I normally walk about with camera in hand in the late afternoon and early evening hoping to find a few willing models to satisfy my quest for nature images. It was midday when I found a few minutes to wander my garden alert to the photographic possibilities. The sky was clear and the Sun was high. Many consider the light too harsh at this time of day, but these were the conditions that presented themselves.

Lighting

In the brilliant light I was aware of the need to handle the shadows and the possibility of blowing out the highlights. The task of the moment required me to find the right angle to take advantage of a shadow cast by a nearby tree. The idea was to place the moth in the frame so as to use the shade as background enhancing the contrast between the subject and the surrounding environment. The light reflecting off the coiled proboscis, tail and antenna was a fortuitous coincidence. I think that the detail on the back of the moth was made visible by the brightness of the early afternoon sun. Photography is a process of capturing light in an instant and preserving its image for posterity. It seems to me to be as magical as if capturing lightning in a bottle.

Equipment

I had a Nikon D500 equipped with a Nikkor 500mm PF Prime lens.

Inspiration

My yard is decorated with hundreds of flowering plants that attract a variety of birds, a menagerie of insects, reptiles and mammals that come for the flowers, fruit and seeds not to mention the water left for drinking and bathing. It could be said that I was inspired by years of preparation for this image studying wildlife and photography along with some horticulture. All leading to the moment when this spectacular Hummingbird Moth came to pose for me.

Editing

I shoot RAW so I process every image. I typically use Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop along with Topaz DeNoise. I first cropped the image in LR and then ran it through the DeNoise AI program to minimize the noise in the shadow. Back in LR I adjusted for brightness and contrast. The highlight slider was employed to save color and detail as best possible.

In my camera bag

I travel light to keep me agile and flexible in my pursuit of whatever of nature's beings might put in an appearance. I can be found most days in the woods and fields hand-carrying a Nikon D500 with 500mm PF lens. Occasionally, I set out to capture a scene that requires a wider view and a few more pixels. On those days a Nikon D750 with a Nikkor 24 - 70mm zoom fits the bill. I let my intended targets determine what I will carry with me. I also dabble in Macro photography with the D750 and either a Nikkor 105mm Micro lens or a Nikkor 200mm Micro lens.

Feedback

Besides learning the principles of photography and the details of camera usage, learn as much as you can about the lifecycle of your intended subjects. I consider myself a hunter with a camera instead of a gun. Slow down and quietly move through the landscape. Be alert to slight movements in your environment. Listen. Your ears will often guide you to your desired subject. Approach your quarry sideways and low if possible. Disguise your gaze. Remember every being in nature is wary of predators. If they see you looking or pointing a camera they are likely to disappear into cover. Remember, you are not a harmless photographer to the natural world. Your appearance, odor, and vibe marks you as a predator. Learn to calm your heart and mind. The creatures of the forests and fields are sensitive to cues in their world: sights, sounds, odors and even feelings. They sense intent just like a dog senses fear. A little Zen in your camera bag may be the best tool of the nature photographer.

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