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!