I had some corn for dinner last night. While I was out on the back steps shucking, two little kids came up to the pond. I love it when people admire it. They were with their older brother. He noticed me and was about to chase them away when I told them to stay if they wanted. I ended up bringing out the fish food for the little kids to throw in the water. The brother was very appreciative and polite. He introduced himself and asked my name. He was James (for the memory archive).
On my way back to the corn, I noticed what looked like a tiny hummingbird flying around the phlox. But it wasn’t a hummingbird. It was a moth. It sort of looked like a bumble bee as well. I asked the internet what it was. The internet says it’s a Hemaris diffinis, otherwise known as a Snowberry Clearwing hummingbird moth. Cool. I took a bunch of pictures, but it was moving pretty fast, so they aren’t as good as I would like. Here are the best shots:
BACK:
SIDE:
Later on, as I looked out my kitchen window, I saw another view of nature:
Ha! He’s wondering all over that building!
Those moths are so freaky. Do you think they fool other creatures into thinking they are hummingbirds? Because I totally fall for it.
I wonder if those kids know where your flowers are?
Another view of nature… HA!
And are you crazy?!? Those pictures are AWESOME! Especially the 1st one…it’s National Geographic worthy!
Your experience reminds me of when we rescured the beautiful luna moth on the ground in the construction area at work and set it in a lovely plant inside with a dish of water …. only to be horrified when we found out the luna moth has no mouth so therefore can’t eat or drink and dies within one week of its birth.
Thanks for the guffaw there……and here I thought this was a 100% serious NatGeo-type posting today, too. Glad it wasn’t, though. HA! Me’thinks I have aseen a moth like that this summer (along with dozens of dragonflies, traveling in motor cycle-like gangs across our yard) and thought it a fuzzy hornet or wasp. So thanks for clearing up that confusion at any rate.
…and I’m with Lauren. I bet those kiddos know something about missing impatiens. Hmmm…
Very nice work Brad. We should get together a talk about landscaping. I find it enjoyable and very gratifying.
I would love that, Julie. I love talking about gardening. 🙂