Monday 19 May 2014

Mayfly Ball


The Mayflies are late this year, but are now everywhere, shuffling out of their old selves and leaving their ghosts behind them as they flit off to rejoin the ball. This one transmogrified on our window (compact, etc.) tonight, taking 24 hours to do go through the process. It will probably stay there until dawn, well after its wings have hardened and re-inflated - unless a bat finds it beforehand.

They gather in groups over shiny car-bonnets to dance up and down, presumably mistaking the sheen for smooth water.

I really do wonder why a fly which is hatched from a lava in water and only lives to be about two weeks old if lucky, bothers to climb out of a skin, dragging those filament-fine legs and arse-extensions with it. Maybe it is just the old lust for life which we all have to some degree or another.

I really must get my fly-rod out again. The brown trout must be very hungry.

11 comments:

  1. Good picture. Transmogrified, what a word. I have never seen them on a window like this. I haven't seen any here but then I haven't been outside tonight. I thought they only lived for 24 hours.

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    1. Good word, but not sure it's the correct usage. The 24 hour thing relates to some other insect, I think.

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    2. I'm also not sure about any aspect of the mayfly's gestation either, so treat this post as you would Wikipedia.

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  2. I agree - what a great photo.

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    1. Semi macro lens shot. That camera has some uses...

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  3. Don't these things bite.
    Merle................

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    1. If they do, you wouldn't notice, Merle. Ladybirds do, and you notice that.

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  4. I spotted our first Swallow yesterday; could the two events be connected?

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    1. Our swallows arrived a couple of weeks ago and they should have flown over your head on their way. Were you just not looking up? There aren't very many as yet, though.

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  5. they do look a little alien don't they

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