Years ago, when I was tending my stunning formal English herb garden that came with a house we lived in for several years, I saw a most striking ‘thing’ flying about my Compass plant, which grew to great heights in one corner. Larger than a bumble bee, yet smaller than a hummingbird, its behavior was so like a hummingbird, I thought it must be a baby hummingbird. I was able to take its picture, although not a clear one.

Yesterday, as I walked around the pond, I saw the same flying ‘thing’ again. Better equipped for a digital catch, it is pictured here.

For the whole walk home, I had that tummy churning excitement that comes with the certainty of having caught on film something ‘good’. I couldn’t wait to download the image and study it.

I was thrilled with the quality of the photos. What’s not to love about these; the color, the action, the blur of the wings, the intimacy with the berries? Stunning.

As has become my habit now, I began my research of this unfamiliar little ‘thing’. And, where did I find it? In my Audubon book on insects (first disappointment), under ‘moths’ (devastating). My heart sank. “It’s only a moth,” I whined to myself. Eww, a moth.

I spent a day wondering if I could actually post an article about a moth with any enthusiasm. I kept studying the pictures trying to reconcile my…what?…snobbery? “If it can’t be a hummingbird, couldn’t it at least be a butterfly,” I continued to moan.

Why do I think this way?

Today, I reprimanded myself. “Get over it,” I scolded. And, I kind of have…a bit…logically, if not emotionally.

My consolation? Its name is ‘Hummingbird Moth’. I guess I can live with that.