A few weeks ago, my wife Nathalie and I were enjoying a quiet evening in our garden, unwinding after a long day. The sun had just dipped below the horizon, and the usual suspects—birds, bees, and butterflies—had wrapped up their day’s work. But then we noticed something different. The white butterfly bushes in the center of our garden were buzzing with activity, even as the light faded.
Curious, we wandered over to see what was going on, and that’s when we were treated to an unexpected show. Moths, those often-overlooked night-shift workers of the insect world, were flitting around the flowers, taking over the pollination duties from their daytime counterparts. It was like watching the second shift clock in, ready to get down to business.
Being the camera enthusiast that I am, I wasn’t about to let this moment pass undocumented. Out came the Canon R5 and the EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro lens, a killer combo for capturing the tiny details of these nocturnal visitors. To light up the scene, we used a video light, giving these dark beauties the spotlight they deserved.
What struck me most was the elegance of these moths. Up close, they were nothing short of mesmerizing, with intricate wing patterns and those signature antennae that give them an almost otherworldly look. They moved with a purpose, hovering just above the flowers, their wings a blur as they dipped in for nectar.
Capturing these moths in action was a reminder of how much we miss when we assume the day’s over just because the sun’s gone down. Nature doesn’t stop working just because we do, and there’s a whole world of activity that kicks off when we’re winding down.
So, next time you find yourself sitting in the garden as dusk falls, take a closer look. You might just catch a glimpse of nature’s night shift at work. And if you’re lucky enough to have a camera nearby, even better. Just saying, there’s beauty in the dark—if you’re willing to look for it.
Shot with Canon EOS R5 and EF L100 f2.8 Macro lens (Check BBPhoto for the gear I'm using!).
All photos are taken by me. If you want to know more, head to beheydt.be/photography or shor.by/BjB for more info.
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