Death Defying Acrobat

My housekeeper saw this guy scooting along the steps this morning and let me know so I could take a photo.

I put it on the plant so it would make a prettier photo.

I was bummed that I didn't get all of it in focus. I took tons of shots as it moved here and there on the flower. I got its head in focus and its butt in focus, but never both at the same time. Drat!

I have no idea what kind it is. I looked but ran out of time before I ran out of caterpillar pages.

[Maggiemae]

Which is the head and which is the butt? Great photo!

[Walks @ 7]

He should look into the circus :):)

[Annie D]

I can't find the colouring but it looks like one of the Spicebush caterpillars - they look like snakes when the front mouth part isn't extended

[Lockarec]

@maggiemae Thank you! His head is hanging out over nothing. It's not really in focus either.. :/
@joysabin Thank you! He should; then I could retire.
@annied Thank you for taking the time to look! I have sent the photo to our local conservancy officer. If anyone can identify it, he can or knows who can. I will let you know if/when I get an answer. I don't see where the spicebush territory is in the Mediterranean, but anymore, I don't suppose that means much. We just found out that we have snakes from Africa and Australia on the island....and that they are thriving.

[Annie D]

@evalieutionspics I google all the time when there is something I am interested to find out about - yes please let me know - I am very curious :)

[Lockarec]

@annied Me too...I used to do the same thing with encyclopedias and dictionaries. I was forever getting sidetracked during assignments. It's a blessing and a curse. :)

[Lockarec]

@maggiemae
@annied
The conservancy officer says it is a species of hawk moth. He has sent it to a moth expert for the exact species. Hopefully, we'll know soon.

[Annie D]

@evalieutionspics hahaha I know what you mean - happens to me all the time - off on tangents....oooh I love hawk moths

[Lockarec]

@annied
@maggiemae
Sorry to blow up your inbox! I found it! Just knowing the hawk moth part led me to its name, It is an Oleander Hawkmoth. And the fact that its underside is orange means it is ready for pupation. Normally it would be green. How cool is that! We have tons of oleander here, and if it wants to eat it I am all for it! Thanks again for looking, ladies!

[Annie D]

@evalieutionspics haha I did the same as you and found the Oleander as well - was waiting to see if it was confirmed - :) Thank you for the info - I thought the colour may mean something :)