One of the greatest gifts our gardens have to offer is to see who shows up. Right? Does it not cheer you immensely when a different kind of bird is spotted in a backyard tree, building a nest? Or the delight in finding ladybugs helping out with aphids that are invading your roses? Who is not thrilled with finding a butterfly never seen before among our blossoms? And it is even more exciting when we are able to catch the visitor on our cameras and to share on social media! These are some of my favorite moments in the garden and I love sharing those discoveries with all of you here on this blog, on FB and Twitter. (I am just now sorting out Instagram, and can be found at TheKathrynHall, if you would like to follow.)
And so it was very exciting the afternoon a creature I’d never seen before, ever, anywhere, came flitting through the largest of the butterfly bushes in the back garden. It seemed to be a hummingbird, but I knew it was not. Then what was it?? And whoosh, in a few seconds it was gone, and I’d scarcely gotten a view. I did a bit of research and realized it was apparently a hummingbird moth! I’d never even heard of a hummingbird moth before. Have you? In speaking with people it doesn’t seem they are so common, though they do not appear to be endangered I’m happy to report.
And so I wished deeply another would visit, and one afternoon, weeks later, I got my wish fulfilled, as, above the tallest branches of the butterfly bush, among purple blossoms, was the fast moving creature–and, luckily, and I happened to have my iPhone in hand, set to video! I’ve learned in photographing butterflies, how precious these moments are, and I quickly set the video in motion, capturing this dance of this little hummingbird moth. Inspired I used Flipagram to add music, and above you may have already viewed the result!
It captures the moment and allows me to share with all of you to pique your interest. They surely are one of the sweetest visitors to my garden, and I hope for more.
What are some of the unexpected visitors to your garden that brighten your day?
Love and garden blessings,
Kathryn xoxo
Book News: A new review of Plant Whatever Brings You Joy has just appeared in Readers’ Favorite Book Review. And an excerpt from my book will appear in the winter issue of GreenPrints Magazine. I want to extend a sincere thank you to all who have taken the time to post reviews of my book on Amazon. Each one is a treasure and it makes such a difference in letting others know of your love for the book. Thank you! xoxo
Posted on October 2nd, 2016 by Kathryn
Filed under: Animals
I am not certain I have ever seen one. I need to look them up. What joy.
Julie
Hi, Julie! I know! I’d never seen one before! They are amazing! Kathryn xxoo
Beautiful! I love special visitors in the garden. Just lovely!
I used to own a little house in Tygerdal, Goodwood, South Africa and I gardener organically. Over 2 years whilst recovering from chemo, I watched a magical transformation take place. I was so excited when I saw my first hummingbird moth and thereafter was visited by many of these creatures as well as many different types of birds. My garden had flowers for all seasons.
Jane, I enjoy your website enormously and now have a postage stamp succulent, palagonium and geranium garden. I just turned 70
Hi, Antonia! Wish you could have seen this little one. So special! Love, Mom xoxo
Hi, Helena, and welcome and many thanks for your kind words. I am delighted that you are familiar with hummingbird moths! Most folks who have emailed me privately have said they have never seen one before! And they truly are amazing creatures! It sounds like your garden was lovely. I’m glad you have that memory–and that you still have a little one to bring you joy! Kathryn xoxo
Thank you Kathryn. Our Hummingbird moths are brown mostly with white and black horizontal stripes on their tails. I saw one on an Indian Hawthorne at the start of spring . I live in Cape Town area, South Africa. You are a special lady. God bless. You bring us great joy. Wish. I was such a good cyber mama, Love Helena
Good morning, Helena! Thank you for sharing what hummingbird moths look like in your part of the world! Fascinating. And thank you for your blessing. Kathryn xoxo
Hi Kathryn
Helena is my mom (my moederliefie and cybermama) and I’m so glad she is cyber active at the age of 70 and able to enjoy these posts of yours. So enriching to share interests across oceans, continents and hemispheres. I’ve only seen the hummingbird moth twice but may never have noticed it had my mom not pointed it out. Here’s to many more green thumb discoveries! Xox Lindsay
Dag, Lindsay! How kind of you to post! I’m delighted your mother and you are enjoying my blog! It touches my heart. I’m sitting here wondering how your mom could get a copy of my book, as I think she would enjoy so much. Sales in South Africa? Hmmm. Shipping is a bit pricey to Africa from Amazon. Kindle? Kathryn xoxo
Last year, I had one getting some love from my butterfly bush, too. And like you, took a video (but never posted it – maybe a post for this winter?) They also like the night-blooming moonflower.
Ray
Hi, Ray and welcome. That sounds like a magical discovery to witness a hummingbird moth on a night-blooming moonflower! Thanks for sharing that image! Kathryn xoxo
Dear Katherine
I have been ill since our last conversation. I am much frailer but still enjoy my succulent and geranium garden. We are experiencing drought in Cape South Africa but my plants are surviving. We water with grey water. My lavender Bush is full of bees. God bless. Helena
Welcome, Helena, I am happy to hear your garden is providing you with joy and sustenance. Droughts are difficult. How wonderful that you have a grey water system set up! I bet you enjoy those bees in the lavender as much as I did this summer. Be well. Kathryn xxoo