Another Reason

Posted on by Gary Fultz

As if we need another reason to stand in awe of God’s creativity. This moth is mesmerizing.

Out of the hundred different kinds of hummingbird moths, this is the “White-lined sphinx” moth (according to my brother who looked it up).

While attempting to photograph this late summer moth on our back deck, I discovered this very unique insect can move from flower to flower very fast, zip around corners and instantly hover as well as any hummingbird I have seen. Its face resembles an owl and it’s straw like limber tongue for sipping nectar is very long but can be retracted. In one picture it looks like its tongue is wrapped around his wing (it’s not)…that would hurt.

Click on any picture to enlarge.

And, yes, the purple petunias are amazing as well.

Those who have walked with God deeply tell us that creation in comparison is a small drop of water should God be like the oceans. Our finite minds need a reference point as an infinite God doesn’t compare to anything finite. So, here I am, thanking God and sharing a few mesmerizing moments.

Gary

37 thoughts on “Another Reason”

    1. Vert true on hearing the wings, now that you mention it. They must be soft wings or have tops like the owl because they can go mighty fast. I missed the best picture as I saw a hummingbird and the moth face each other over a flower for a couple moments. That was fun to see.

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    1. My thoughts as well Robert. who would ever think of creating something like?
      I’m curious, so I will look up to see if they have any other way to eat other than the straw like tongue.

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  7. Beautiful pictures, Gary!
    Just saw a hilarious reel on IG where a mom asks her little son what he named his favourite moth…. They are both laughing and the little kid says “Mothew”🤣🤣🤣
    What’s your moth’s name?

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  8. Wow Gary! You caught some amazing shots- proboscis in action and all. The purple petunias make the perfect backdrop. We have Snowberry clearwing hummingbird moths that visit our butterfly bushes but they aren’t as dapper as their northern cousins.

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    1. Thanks Ellie. No stinger. It’s a very long straw like tongue that socks the nectar out of flowers. It’s normally retracted except when feeding they just curl it up between flower hopping.
      It’s the only way they feed

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  13. Thanks once again for sharing these pictures and the thoughtful reminders. As I looked at the moth, I think about the molecules, atoms, and all of the tiny, engineered components that make this amazing flying insect more spectacular than anything we have ever created that flies. Our God is an awesome God!

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    1. I am in awe of those little muscles flapping big wings up to 60/second Wayne. The speed they can shoot away and curve around trees and deck railings…amazing…and it’s a moth…
      God is so creative.

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  15. Thanks for sharing, Gary! I haven’t ever seen a moth species like this before. Your photos are a beautiful introduction to the white-lined sphinx moth.

    How do you stop the humongous mosquitoes, you tell about, from either carrying you away or sucking your blood dry, while taking photos of the incredible moth in the dark of night?

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    1. Thanks Manette. Fortunately I am not bothered much by mosquitoes. Also, this time of year with the dry weather, there are not as many. We had a huge dragonfly hatch, lots of swallows and hummingbirds…plus bat’s. They all eat thousands of mosquitoes daily.

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  16. All I can say is “Wow!” You have captured so much beauty in these photographs. Purple has always been symbolic of royality…these flowers with this awesome creature denote such reverence on our part for God’s magnificent creation. If we are aware each and every day to the mystery that surrounds us, the veil between heaven and earth seems to part slightly. We cannot see in full now, but there is so much more that we can see and appreciate if we open our hearts and minds to the wonder that surrounds us. Beautiful post. Thank you so very much for sharing this with us.

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    1. I was very glad when I saw the photos that turned out Linda. Those crazy moths do not give a photographer much time. Hummingbirds are easier to photograph. I had similar thoughts just watching the moth feed and maneuver. Only God could be this creative and it’s so easy to miss even the big details. Thanks for calling attention to the color purple and the thin veil. I find as I move and live closer to God the more “aware” I am becoming.

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      1. I can’t imagine that Hummingbirds would be easy to photograph! 🙂 You do have a gift with the camera! God is endlessly creative…in every exquisite detail in nature, His handiwork is enthralling. With the changing seasons, we have new opportunities to witness how that change in nature is much like life itself. Nothing is ever exactly the same from one minute to the next…we know the landscape, but the details are ever-changing. It is kind of like a river with the water endlessly moving…it is a beautiful river, but we must always be on the lookout for what is around us and before us. Thank you for sharing these beautiful photographs!

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  17. I was harvesting wild rice yesterday and wishing I had a waterproof camera…There’s a whole unseen world in the tall thick rice. It did remind me of how much is unnoticed right around us. probably on a consistent basis

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