Friday 25 May 2012

I could have danced all night


Now that winter has abruptly come to a halt, albeit about two months late, the Mayflies have had their first hatch, and - it being close to the river - have begun landing on our windows for their first (and last) change of clothes of the season.

I wonder why these little creatures spend the first 48 hours of their short lives shedding what looks like a perfectly good skin, then sitting around until their new ones harden up enough for them to fly off again?

Actually, I know why.  They are getting into their party outfits.  All the while they are squeezing themselves out of their old bodies, the guests begin to arrive and immediately start to dance.  Their parties follow exactly the same pattern as ours - or at least the young ones of our species.

As soon as their make-up has dried, they launch themselves into the dance - wildly jumping up and down, sweating off pheromones and getting off with each other, trying to avoid the trout gate-crashers.

Then, no sooner has it started, the party's over and they all disappear, leaving their old outfits blowing about in the street like ghosts.

9 comments:

  1. Well, at least the Trout benefit!

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  2. That reminds me - I must get my old rod out.

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    1. And yes - I know - our windows need cleaning. H.I. reminds me all the time.

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  3. How very poetic of you Tom...

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  4. I like this post, Tom. Contemplative for me.

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  5. We get them on the iris's in our pond but never on the windows.
    Has the pigeon died yet ?
    ........and, put your old rod away Tom.....there's a time and a place !

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    1. Haven't heard it for a while. Haven't smelt it either (the pigeon).

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  6. Some people are exactly like that I agree Tom. When we were kids we used to see something called Maybugs - they were quite large and buzzed about like Lancaster bombers. I have not seen one for years and have no idea what they were. Any ideas? (and don't say they disappeared with the end of the war!)

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    1. Yes, I remember May Bugs and Stag Beetles. I haven't seen them since around 1960. Maybe we should look them up to see where they all went?

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