Hummingbird Clearwing Moth: Hemaris thysbe

I was filling my bird bath, when buzzing caught my attention.  My little garden attracts a lot of insects and birds, but this one is a first.

I grabbed my cell-phone quickly and snapped some shots:

I wish I had my other camera, but these are the best I could do.

I have always wanted to see a Hummingbird Clearwing Moth. About the size of my thumb, they are incredibly beautiful. The noise they make with their wings is quite similar to hummingbirds.

Take a look here to see the varying colourations of this amazing moth.  This fella was feeding off every flower of my Amsonia 'Blue Ice' and the flowers on my Lamium.

Note to self: keep a camera by the garden, ALWAYS!

Plant Profile: Amsonia "Blue Ice" Blue Star - The Virtual Unknown

I am partial to blue in the garden. I keep Forget Me Nots just so I can enjoy a lengthy blue bloom in my backyard. It's a sacrifice, I know ;)

Once Myosotis fade, there's not much else that flowers blue in June.

Except this gem:

Amsonia is truly a gift to the gardener. No pests, no staking required, lovely as a cut flower....the attributes will astound you. Good for dry shade as well.

Soft blue, delicate trumpets.  Between my Brunneras and Amsonia, I am happy.

One of the best features as well, is autumn colour.

Frost tolerant and quite late to change colour. Hues range from butter yellow to light orange.