Jul 18, 2008

Can You Guess What This Is?

Technically, this is not a Show and Tell item but I couldn't resist sharing this with you because it is unique and totally cool. We were enjoying our back deck when we noticed something buzzing around one of the pots of flowers. We do have hummingbirds from time to time but this looked more like a very tiny, stripped hummingbird. Kind of a cross between a hummingbird and a bumblebee. Naturally, I ran to get my camera and this is the little guy close up. He didn't seem afraid of us and we watched it for a long time. We decided it was a baby hummingbird. Later that night my sister-in-law and I started doing some Internet searching to find out what kind of hummingbird it was, if that indeed was what it was. As it turns out, as far as we can find, it was a Hummingbird Moth! I have never even heard of such a thing before but the picture in the article did look just like our own little friend. The are frequently mistaken for baby hummingbirds because of their size, but they are not particularly afraid of people. They flit around fragrant flowers like hummers and their wings move at that same amazing rate of speed. Gosh, just when you think all the fun is over for the summer God sends along a little surprise to delight you!

28 comments:

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Never heard of such a thing. I was thinking maybe you were part of THE FLY!

Kathi~Lavender, Lace and Thyme said...

Yes, you are correct, they call them a hummingbird moth. I haven't seen one this year, they are very interesting. Thank you for sharing today!

Have a wonderful Friday!
Kathi :)

A Hint of Home said...

How special that surprise was for you.
There are so many pleasures the Lord gives us.

JEWELGIRL said...

I am amazed that you got a
photo at all, they are so quick!
Thanks for stopping by my garden!

Dawn said...

What a great shot you were able to get - I never heard of a hummingbird moth before!

Thanks for coming over to visit me today at S&T. It is always such fun to have new visitors! Come back any time! We seem to have a lot in common - I just retired from being a secretary - or admin asst, as we were called.

The Apron Queen said...

How cool is that. Never heard of such a thing. Its true- we learn something new every day.

For your daily dose of vintage goodness & a bit of silliness, stop by Confessions of an Apron Queen

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

I think I've seen something like that before, but didn't know what it was called! Never heard of that name before either! Interesting!

Katherine

Anonymous said...

Kathy!!!

We also saw one like that in our front yard earlier this week, and were wondering what it was! It's like a hummingbird and bee cross... hahaha. Now I can tell my husband it's called a hummingbird moth. Things we learn from our fellow bloggers! :)

It looks like you are a woman after my own heart with the love for china, linen and table decorations! :)

Kelli said...

That is so neat! I have never heard of a hummingbird moth!
~Kelli

Lisa Cobler said...

I have never heard of these. How cool. Great post.

Thru Pink Curtains said...

That is what i was going to say when looking at it on first glance it looks like a moth because it has antler things--antennae--i guess you call them!!!. They are kind of rare eh??
like your blog!

Thru Pink Curtains said...

I was going to say also that is girl sounds a lot like leona lewis. Both have such a beautiful tone and expression when singing.

Unknown said...

hi kathy,
Great picture! You are right...God does amaze us with some of the most unusual creatures doesn't He?

Love your blog...don't think I've been here yet!
Diane

Love Bears All Things said...

I've seen these and their discriptions in Birds and Blooms magazine. However, I've never seen one myself.
Mama Bear

DeNiece Barnes said...

Thanks for the visit, you have a wonderful blog and when the children settle down for the night I am going to stop back by and visit your wonderful blog somemore..

Jean said...

I have heard of these but never been lucky enough to see one. Awesome!

Charlotte said...

Hummingbird moth. How interesting. We have quite a few hummingbirds. I think they are so cute. I love to watch them. Your blog is beautiful. It's different from any I've seen. Thanks for visiting my blog. I've enjoyed my visit here. The Orlando trip sounds great. We went there about 15 years ago and went to Disney World. It's a great place.

Gone said...

Yes, sure, a hummingbird moth. Aren't they neat?

We had one all last summer, who frequented our garden...and this spring, saw it once...and it's never returned. :-( But, the hummingbirds are here all the time!!!

Blessings,
Jan

Gone said...

Me again...we are in the southeast corner of Michigan...Temperance area. Where are you?

Jan

The Berry's Patch said...

I've never heard of such a thing. How nice that you snapped a picture of it. I tried to take a picture of a hummingbird once and it just didn't happen. They are too fast.

Brandee :-)

Gattina said...

How interesting ! I never had hear of it !

Wanita said...

Aren't hummingbird moths interesting? We had one last year, but unfortunately I didn't get a picture. I'm hoping to see one this year.

Thanks for stopping by my blog. I appreciate your leaving a comment.

jennifaye said...

Awesome picture. Glad you shared, now I know what it is when I see it.

By the way, you have a beautiful blog! I am jealous.

jen

~Becca~Bluebird Rose said...

I've seen them here too; and they looks SO much like a hummingbird!! :)

The Proverbs Wife said...

I have seen hummingbirds moths before but were unaware of their name.

I like the color palette in your blog layout. They really work well together.

Thanks for visiting my blog. If you decide to start a scrapbook journal please share some pictures.

Muum said...

we have those around here, too - the first time I saw one, I couldn't believe my eyes! thanks for visiting my blog last week, I am just catching up!

Muum said...

I tagged you for a meme, come on over and help me out!

Anne Fannie said...

Hello Kathy, I found your blog through another...I have enjoyed reading your posts. Now, I have never heard or saw a Hummingbird Moth! You can tell in your picture it was flickering its little wings pretty hard when you snapped that picture!
Love, Ann