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Happily Ever After

Big bugs, tiny birds?

JAPAN | Saturday, 11 July 2009 | Views [994] | Comments [2]

This is the best photo I could snap of this little thing.  It was really happy with these flowers.

This is the best photo I could snap of this little thing. It was really happy with these flowers.

Okay, we've posted about the very, very large bats on Base and the very large bugs on our screen.  Are you starting to see a pattern?  I thought I was too until our walk to see the sunset this evening.  On our way, we found...well, we think it was a hummingbird.  It was definitely the tiniest hummingbird I've ever seen, if it was indeed a hummingbird.  I tried to snap a few photos, but once my flash turned on, the little guy got a bit possessive of his flowers (I think he thought I was going to post the directions to his private garden so all the other little flying creatures could find it) and took several diving runs at us.  We quickly decided to finish our walk to the Sea Wall and got some photos of the sunset.  So, big bats, big bugs, and small birds...who woulda thunk?

---Arielle

Comments

1

I think what you saw was actually an insect commonly called a "hummingbird hawk moth".
I've only had the good fortune of seeing one in person once in my life.
It was a few summers ago in my flower garden delicately hovering near my delphiniums.
The picture you posted is of course a different variety, but I googled it and found a match.
How lucky you are to have not only seen one but managed to snap a photo!
Good job!

  Aunt Deb Jul 15, 2009 8:41 AM

2

Aunt Deb, thanks for the identification of the hummingbird hawk moth! What an odd, but pretty, little creature! And my goodness are they fast! Thanks for the ID! Love you, Arielle

  Arielle Jul 15, 2009 10:14 AM

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