I don't remember writing to you about an insect before. But I had an important reminder last week, involving whales and moths!

With the warm sunny weather and light winds, we have had a lot of movement of fish shoals just offshore, coinciding with the beginning of the whale season. Last week reports were coming in almost daily of multiple sightings of Minke whales from land on my local coastline in Yorkshire. Amazing! Meanwhile I had a lot of commitments and had little time to pursue my wildlife adventures. I never seemed to be around at the right time.

So it was with excitement I prepared for my one trip that week to Bempton bird cliffs. The day before they had seen six Minke whales from the reserve, and a pod of dolphins. A bonanza! Minke whales often stay in the same location for a few days if the feeding is good. So it was with much anticipation I drove along that day. However, just as I arrived a post appeared in the wildlife group. The fish shoals had moved - and there were no signs of whales. It felt like just as I was free to try to see them, they had moved. I felt some disappointment that I'd apparently missed the spectacle.

Meanwhile, it was a really gorgeous day with a very calm sea in all shades of blues and greens, a dynamic sky with puffy white clouds - and of course thousands of my beloved gannets. Plenty to enjoy. Especially as when I arrived at the nest I am following, all was well with adult and egg. The adult was settled and peaceful on the nest. It was lovely to just sit alongside.

At the same time, I was looking out for whales too. I noticed my mind revisiting the disappointment at missing them. And I gently prompted myself to enjoy the wonder and beauty of what was there, rather than drift off reflecting on loss of what wasn't there.

I particularly noticed insect life that day. Purple thistles were just coming into flower, and attracting a multitude of insects. Intermittently I turned my attention to the thistles and tried to capture photos of bees. I was enjoying them. But then something really remarkable happened. Suddenly, just by the plant I was watching, the most incredible insect came into view. One that was only very occasionally seen at Bempton and that I had an ambition to see one day. I was completely awed and overjoyed. For there hovering right by me was the absolutely spectacular 'Hummingbird hawkmoth': a small day flying moth that had evolved to look and behave just like a humming bird. How miraculous is creation? It was utterly awesome. And this sighting completely affirmed my sense of 'enjoying what was right here'!

This week's self-kindness invitation is to catch yourself wishing things were other than they are, be kind and compassionate to yourself, and then pay attention to whatever pleasure you can gain from 'here and now'. You could be pleasantly surprised!

Go well.

In warmth and kindness

Barbara