Hummingbird Clearwing Moth

The clearwing moths (Hummingbird and Snowberry) are definitely two of my very favorite summer insects. I saw one very briefly in my garden the other day, but it was gone before I could grab a camera. So, when I headed out to one of my favorite hiking spots this morning, I was hoping I'd see one - they always show up on this particular trail for the wildflowers at this time of year. And, just as I was heading back after 3 hours, I spied this one! I put Big Daddy into service as a long-distance macro ... worked out just fine.

The rest of my hike was equally fruitful - so many dragons and damsels, loads of yellow warblers, cedar waxwings, butterflies, worm-eating grackles, egg-laying turtles... and my first ever MINK! Holy cow - that was a shocker! The little guy kept me company for about 15 minutes, darting back and forth on the trail about 50 feet ahead of me. I'm thinking it was a youngster because it didn't seem too concerned by my presence. In all my hours of hiking I've never seen a mink before, so it was pretty exciting.

I took over 500 photos this morning. That alone tells you that I had a good hike. If you are feeling very brave, I have posted 23 shots on Flickr, starting HERE. If you just want to see the mink, he's HERE

Hubs in in Alabama for a couple of days, visiting his brother, sister and mother. He'll leave for the last leg of his journey Friday morning. I miss him terribly.

I am sitting in my office right now, watching a little chipmunk in the shrub outside my window. He's discovered the seed ball that I hung there and is busy trying to put all the seeds in his pouches. Clearly send to cheer me up!

Happy Hump Day, people...

Debbi