Mistaken Identity

Today was a good day.  A day of checking things off my list.  Trying to get ready to fly out next week.  Items on my list consisted of pick up photos from Walgreens; purchase new tennis shoes; do expenses; make flight to Cleveland, Ohio; write notes, etc.  It felt good to get everything off my list. It is Friday and I want to relax this weekend.

This evening, my husband and I got comfortable in our chairs on the patio to enjoy the cooler weather.  We know that we need to enjoy our time outside before the colder weather and snow hits this area.

As I was sitting and watching the hot pink sunset, I noticed movement over on the purple petunias. It looked like a moth, but it was larger than one.  It almost looked like a hummingbird, but it wasn't. My husband preceded to google "a moth that looks like a hummingbird".  Up came the information, that it was probably a "Hermaris thysbe, the Hummingbird Clearwing Moth".

It is one of the most common cases of "mistaken identity" in nature.  It is about the size of a hummingbird and feeds like one as well.  It also darts from one flower to the next.

Fortunately, I had my phone with me and I was able to capture a picture of it enjoying the nectar from the flowers.

Seeing this moth and thinking that it was a hummingbird, made me realize how often have we mistaken something or someone.  In criminal law, the phrase "Mistaken Identity" is used when the defense claims the actual innocence of the criminal defendant, claiming that the witness saw someone else.

So often, we are quick to judge others before we know the truth or reason behind their behavior.

Next time before I point the finger at someone, I will reflect on the Hermaris thysbe and the mistaken identity as a hummingbird.