POLISH "HUMMINGBIRD"

 

    In fact the  title should actually be: "The Polish Hummingbird, or a Short Story of Cherries" – but that would be too long. So let’s stay with the short version.

All through June – during the stag beetle mating season – I went to the forest, and it happened that I always (or almost always) passed by the house of my new friend Witek (new to the ZPFP (Association of Polish Nature Photographers)).

 In the past we had travelled together, I wrote about it here: RETURNS .

One time, when I stopped by his house - He gave me  a bucket of cherries, and that's where it all started. The cherries were eaten, but the bucket,  needed to be returned. So, on my next trip to the forest, I decided to stop by and return the bucket.
 But while I was returning the "debt," Witek invited me into his garden -  to show me something.
We went, and… I was speechless! Hummingbirds were flying amongst the lavender flowers!

Photo: Witek Mazur

Photo: Witek Mazur

Photo: Witek Mazur

An explanation is needed here – at the first moment, you might be mistaken – but these are actually moths that can hover over a flower and sip nectar with their long siphonet. 

That's right – MOTHS – some fly during the day. 😀

Photo: Marek Czubaszek

The hummingbird hawk-moth (Macroglossum stellatarum), because that's what I'm talking about, with a wingspan of about 4 cm it’s a small moth from the hawk moth family.

They arrive in Poland at the turn of May and June and can be observed until August (or so I read). 

Photo: Witek Mazur

Photo: Witek Mazur

Wonderful, and I saw them for the first time in my life, so my joy was even greater.
Witek must have had a good laugh when he saw my face 😊 It does make me wonder what people must think of me/us when I'm "rolling" in the grass or bushes with my camera, taking photos and shouting...???? 😂😉 Well...?

Photo: Marek Czubaszek

Photo: Marek Czubaszek

Insects are incredibly fast and quite skittish, so getting a good shot is a bit tricky. Fortunately, today's technology makes it easier because the equipment we use allows for continuous shooting, and there's always a chance that "something will work out”.

Photo: Marek Czubaszek

Photo: Marek Czubaszek

Technology is technology, but I guess I'm not a great photographer, because out of over 250 photos I've taken, I can only show a few— the others, well they (the moths) wouldn't cooperate. 😂😂😂

Photo: Marek Czubaszek

But what are friends for? I asked Witek and he sent a few photos, so I managed to gather some to show this "weirdo" (meaning the butterflies !!!).

Getting back to the cherries.

They were just cherries - except Witek had the vegetarian version - no bugs! 😂😂😂

 Oh well - such are the times 😉

Here I'd like to write - back then, we had real cherries - not like now 😃 - although maybe it's better not to. 

Text: Marek Czubaszek

Photos: Witek Mazur, Marek Czubaszek - as in the captions (header photo - Marek Czubaszek)