I was getting ready to post some more garden photos when an email from Nora arrived in my inbox. She’s away from her desk on a short family trip — the sort of getaway in which everyone does what they want during the day then gets back together for the evening.

This afternoon’ssubject line was “Moth” and starts out:

I’m generally not an insect person, but this moth is sort of spectacular. And it’s been on the wall of the terrace like this time since last evening. What’s it doing? What’s on its m...