In case you couldn’t tell, I’ve been spending a lot of time in our woods and garden. Having a camera in hand while communing with nature is therapy for me. I can lose myself for hours [if only my camera battery would hold out that long!].

The bee balm is on the wane in looks but very much a nectar magnet for the hummingbirds and hummingbird moths. The coneflowers are the favorite of the butterflies, and yes dear readers, soon you will be regaled with butterfly photos taken over the past week. Egads. I hope I’m not boring you with my “nature” series this week.

If only we had more rain the mushrooms would make an appearance and I’d have to photograph them as well and we have some interesting ones in our yard.

I now know that this little hummingbird moth is a Snowberry Clearwing Hummingbird Moth. What a delightful name ... snowberry clearwing. Sounds like something a celebrity might name their child! His little body looks similar to a lobster, don’t you agree? Look at the way his tail fans out! In the next photo I had no idea I was catching him with his little tongue—or proboscis— all curled up underneath him ... fascinating. I read that the length of the proboscis roughly equals the length of the flower tube that the moth frequents. Makes sense.

Click here if you want to know more about them.

I’ve tried to catch a hummingbird on the bee balm but they flit away as soon as they see me coming. Aren’t you lucky?

Great capture.  Was this with your baby?

I can totally see some celebrity using that name for their child.

what wonderful pics!

not boring at all, keep them coming

:o)

(finally got around to linking you)

Interesting moth, I’ve only ever seem them in photos. I had a patch of Monarda however; it is another plant in my garden which was destroyed during Hurricane Juan. I keep meaning to plant more as it does attract interesting bugs.

Thanks, glad you enjoyed them.

Letty, thanks for the linkage! How nice ...

Paula, you should have them in NS. What is Monarda??