Hummingbird Hawk-Moth

The Hummingbird Hawk-Moth (Macroglossum stellatarum) is a frequent visitor to the garden, often seen on the Verbena Bonariensis, where it picks its way with amazing dexterity and accuracy between the tiny, individual flowers which make up a complex flower head.

However, we've noticed over the last couple of days that it has been frequenting the Salvia "Hot Lips" by the dining room window..

So of course it was out with the camera and one shot in particular caught our eye..

We have never before managed to get a photo of it with the wings outstretched in a perfect aircraft posture.

Here are one or two more shots of this beautiful creature..

NB. These were taken using Colin's Canon EOS 50D on 8000/sec shutter speed.