Calling All Gardeners!

Pop quiz for today! What is this?

This is what Bill and I asked ourselves today. We were casually eating lunch at the kitchen table when we both spotted this creature flitting about the flowers. It was pretty big, at least 2 to 3 inches long and a wing span of about 3 inches. We wondered, "Is it a really big bee?" I grabbed my camera and went outside to investigate. Well, as soon as I saw it close up I knew it wasn't a bee...okay...but what is it? It has a third little "wing" on it. That little thing on the back end was flapping just like the wings...never seen anything like it before. I'm thinking to myself that it moves like hummingbird - wings flapping so fast a person can't hardly see them and flitting from flower to flower...maybe a really big moth or butterfly? So I snapped a few pictures and then away he flew into the sky. Now Google is a wonderful thing. It took me a little while but I did find out about this mysterios creature. Are you ready for the answer (or maybe you already know the answer)?

This amazing little flying machine is indeed (drum roll please) - a hummingbird moth (a Hummingbird Clearwing Moth, Hemaris thysbe to be exact)! Who knew there was such a thing? I sense some skepticism from some of you. Just Google "hummingbirds/bird or bug" and you'll see.

This has been the most fascinating discovery this year in my garden. I'm completely enthralled. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go refill my hummingbird feeder!

Baby hummingbird?

Are you sure?

Can I take you at your word?

It has antennas don't you see?

It really is a mystery.

But look closer my dear friend,

wings fast as lightening

and a feathery rear-end!