Sphinx on phlox, not in sox

I find it hard to let go and worry that I have not done something today. But, then, getting up and out in the dawn has led to some amazing sights. Two days ago it was something that looked like a long, black mink or weasel. Buster was busy defending his property against a calico cat that appeared on our back deck. You know that cat howl in the dark!
I'm glad he didn't go after it, whatever it was.

White-lined sphinx on phlox

You take the opportunities.
I do adore getting up in the night, having had a date with Mr. Insomnia, and going outside to take a photo in the dark. I now see insomnia as an opportunity, rather than a burden. I have no alarm clock that controls my life. I can be sick and read or watch TV all day, should I wish. Theoretically, guilt-free.

They couldn't fathom Buster, in the dark,
on the cement steps rolling around,
while they were kept indoors.

I slept in until 9:30 this morning. Very strange. Hubby tiptoed about in the kitchen. I've just begun processing my photos of last night's shoot. With the cold and dark, the mosquitoes were few and far between, and the deerflies prefer the hot sun. The daytime dragonflies were sleeping.

An elusive moth I've been trying to capture, a large White-lined sphinx, has been appearing in the night. Not really elusive, but too fast for these eyes framed in graduated lenses. They are tricky when trying to see the critter through the view finder. With many clients who have developed glaucoma, I do not complain. Each life passage is an adjustment, mostly to my prescriptions!

This spider was eating dinner on the
living room window.

I've been trying to photograph the sphinx on my phlox. There has to be a poem there! (I'll work on that!)

Sphinx on phlox, not in sox
Slippers sure, cold feet cure
Lens in hand, please please land
Cats they peer, eyes of fear
Mum does what? she's a nut
Cold night quest, much success!

Like the Underwing family, there are colours hidden
when they sit with folded wing

You can see its proboscus

Wee little legs!

They flit, buzz, hover, like hummingbirds. Buster took a whack at one but, thankfully, missed.

White-lined sphinx on phlox

Sphinx moth in the dark from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.
A sphinx moth, difficult to photograph, sucking up the nectar. Buster was nearby, rolling on the cool cement steps. Kittens were supportive in the window!
Last year I managed a photo of other sphinx. They are the size of hummers!

Sphinx chersis
Great ash sphinx

Sphinx chersis
Great ash sphinx

Xylophanes tersa Tersa Sphinx

Paonias excaecata
Blinded sphinx

A few photos from my commute

Day lilies line the highway
–making a nice punctuation to the hot asphalt,
for a long drive.

Yes. On my way to visit my client I spotted two dead raccoon kits. I didn't take time to stop. On
the way back home, I stopped to see if I could photograph the vultures. To be perfectly realistic, they do clean up roadkill. Serendipitously, no vultures were there, the crows –they flew into the forest. However, I did stop and spotted a bluebird. I've never grabbed a good photo of a blue bird!

There was a lot of traffic, with various means of transportation.

Many large boats about

Fun bike

Old car

They always look so wicked!
Much traffic, and it was on alert.

Then there was the osprey nest! I didn't notice the parent until after taking close-ups of the babies.

The power lines holds the parent...the nest the 2 babes.

One was sticking its tongue out at me!

My final set of photos, from when I was up at 11:30, hearing a strange cat outside on the deck. I took a moment to snap a couple of moths.  I'm off, again, to feed my client breakfast.
He's up at dawn.

1. Not so focused, but gives you
an idea of its size.

I am amazed at the range of flora and fauna I have never seen before. I was thrilled to add another couple to my files. I've submitted them to my BAMONA account, where the volunteers ID them for us newbie/amateurs! The first one: Scalloped edges and wee spots. Looking like a fuzzy toy. Greens, pinks, and browns - just amazing. 
AHA: confirmation:

2. The Saw Wing -Euchlaena serrata

1. Blinded sphinx -Paonias excaecata (J.E. Smith, 1797)

The next one: 

2. The Saw Wing -Euchlaena serrata (Drury, 1770)

I just want to pet the sphinx! It looks pretty.

Blinded sphinx
Here is a better close-up.