Hummingbird moths in the Sierra

[Cycleboy]

We have them at our house in the evening lately, Santa Ynez Valley area. My wife swore they were birds and I thought they were the moths we had here last year. Then one landed on the wall and it was clear.

[cgundersen]

Phil,

Yep, great photo and thread. Judging from the widespread distribution of locales where HSTers have been reporting these moths, it seems that this is their (the moth's) year. I can add that my recent trip into Miter basin (waiting for my pal to send me photos) included plenty of sightings, and as everyone else noted, they prefer the pink end of the spectrum. As the bats disappear, the moths make up for the winged-species loss? Cameron

[shawnterustic]

Fantastic photo! I was out on the JMT / PCT / Nüümü Poyo corridor for three weeks earlier this month and they were *everywhere* (as was the red mountain heather...quite a year for an extended flower show up high!) - never seen so many. Total delight!

[erutan]

Also a lot more Skinks and Thistle this year compared to most.