Night Hawk
In the shadows beneath the house, nose on top of a bees nest entrance, a Hawk Moth waiting for night.
*Click on the pictures for a proper look … and click again
It looked like it might be feeding, it has a long proboscis for the purpose, strong enough to pierce.
Unmoved by my presence, I was within a couple of inches, to see the detail of her eye. A gentle little thing.
A feathery coat keeps her cool and dry, probably helps with flight too. Nature is no slouch when it comes to design.
The garden has been drying out with the recent summer heat, in spite of the daily watering.
I was not surprised to see this creature in the afternoon, clinging to the side of the bee hotel.
At first I thought it might be using its proboscis to extract nourishment from a nest it was on.
But no, it was just waiting out the bright of the day in the cool shadows, being nocturnal.
I suspect the garden is a beacon to the small life in range of sensing it.
When so few water theirs it must be positively inviting.
A little green oasis is a blessing.
Of nature, and the life behind.
© Mark Berkery ……. Click on those pictures for a closer look
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Nature's Place 
Thank you Mark. Another lovely subject. Your subjects, narratives, and photographic expertise are always much appreciated.
Thanks David.
can’t believe this, so beautiful, so real, Thank you, Love, nia
Thanks Nia.
Need to trim
“eye winkers!”
Grooming is something insects, and most other creatures, are usually very attentive to. Clearly this one doesn’t need every stray ‘hair’ cut to function.
Wonderful pictures! Such beautiful creatures (so furry) and often so colourful. I never saw one of them that close! Thank you! Almuth
I saw two that day, the other on the watering hose.
Yes, such a variety of colours in the family – https://www.google.com/search?q=hawk+moth+image
Thanks Almuth.
Beautiful variety! They really lead a shadowy existence. The caterpillars of this one
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achateule
are eating on several plants on my balcony all year, but unfortunately I never see the night hawk. I don’t give up hope :-) Thanks to you Mark.
You might need a garden big and wild enough to accommodate them, rather than hope … But who knows what blows in on the wind.
Right, everythings possible :-)