Amid the the rain kissed leaves and blooms the flight pattern catches and holds my eye. I’ve been watching out for a chance to photograph a ruby throated hummingbird but he’s very camera shy and vanishes into the forest when he feels my gaze. The hummingbird continues to elude me. However, the visitor who buzzed into view is just as special in its own way.
Outsiders to the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia would swear that I had been hitting the still if I told them that I was visited by a flying lobster but that’s what we call them. The articulated tail which helps it hover really resembles the tail of a lobster. I suppose that some of the old timers had a lot fun at the expense of those who braved the muddy trails into wild mountains with tales of a crustacean that swims through the air. Of course the rest of North America knows it as the Snowberry Clearwing Moth. The unusual thing is that this moth is active in the day and into the night. It’s completely enthralled with the sweet purple flowers of the tall ironweed. It circles each cluster grooming the flowers with powerful beat of it’s wings. In response the flowers sweeten their nectar to ensure that the moth continues to feed and catch more pollen in its fur. The field is covered in ironweed and it’s really easy to see why my ancestors envisioned the moth as a lobster flying through the coral. The bees and butterflies also swarm around the foliage but there’s only one flying lobster. It’s not rare, only unique.
Hey Friends! Just a quick reminder that Lloyds Lens Photography is available for portraits!
To book me simply reach out using the Contact Page and we’ll set a date. If you’re within a 50 mile radius of Summersville West Virginia all travel fees are waived.
If you would like to Follow me on Facebook the web address is
https://www.facebook.com/aviewfromthelens/
If you’re enjoying my blog and don’t want to miss a post then you can sign up for email alerts on my website.
https://lloydslensphotographyllc.com/
Did you know that I also do portraits by appointment? If you’re interested in a portrait session either message me on Facebook or Use the Contact form. The YouTube link below takes you one of my slideshows.
Have you checked out the Zazzle Store?
I’m now using Zazzle to fulfil orders. What this means for you is a secure way to place an order, discount codes & a broader product selection! Simplymessage me on Facebookoruse the contact form on my websiteand tell me which image you want and I’ll reply with a direct link to where you can place the order.
Lastly, all of the photos and writings are my original work unless otherwise specified and are not to be copied or reproduced without expressed written permission from the photographer
Thank you again for your support of my page!❤
LLOYD'S LENS PHOTOGRAPHY LLC 
The moths we get aren’t so impressive in their appearance, ours are like broken brown butterflies. It’s good to see there’s a better version.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Most of our moths are the same as yours. In addition to Snowberry Clearwing we have another Clearwing Moth that looks more like a hornet than a bumblebee. It’s about the size of a European hornet as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person