I saw something tonight I've never seen before. It was getting dark and about to storm and I was looking out the window while I brushed my teeth (doesn't everyone?). I noticed a big swarm of something flying around and around at levels from inches above the ground to above the treetops. They looked like tiny radio-controlled helicopters gone mad.
My first crazy thought was hummingbirds but then one flew close to the window.
Dragonflies! Five inch long dragonflies!
( I tried to get a photo myself but it was getting dark. I found this one, thanks to the Dragonfly Woman who has a blog here in case you want to know more about dragonflies or report a swarm.)
Apparently dragonflies swarm for two reasons - migration or feasting on a swarm of other insects. I'm pretty sure mine had discovered a dinner buffet over my garden. While they can swarm in groups of 10 to 1,000,000 or more, I'd say my swarm was in the hundreds.
They are still out there circling, 45 minutes later.
What a fun way to end my day.
Posted with Blogsy
Yikes, they look a bit threatening being so big and in such a big group. Very interesting. I was not aware of the swarms.
ReplyDeleteI am surprised that you haven't seen them before in swarms. They breed in lakes and after all your state is known as "The State of 10,000 Lakes".
ReplyDeleteThey probably drive the livestock mad, like locusts in swarms do here and not forgetting drivers on outback roads - when a locust swarm is encountered - you stop until they pass.
At times you can't see a thing and the mess on your car - YUCK!
Anyhow be thankful - they eat mosquitoes and unfortunately bees also.
Lovely sunny day here - after the rain - the lawns and gardens are thriving. The grass
is still not long enough for the lawn mower brigade - God help us next weekend!!!
Cheers
Colin
Just checked my travel diaries - I thought these dragon flies of Minnesota rang a bell.
DeleteIn 1978 when visiting my sister, Cheryl and her husband, John at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, by then they had moved onto "Pill Hill" !!!!
We drove from Rochester to MSP and around Northfield on the highway we had to
stop for a swarm of bugs - obviously dragon flies. The swarm was so dense you could hardly see. Didn't take too long for the millions of "bugs" aka Dragon flies to move on. Northfield at that time had a "super duper" restaurant owned by the former head chef to the Shah of Persia! I think Northfield is a university town??? The staff
were all students. I wonder does this restaurant still exist, if it does you should visit.
The food and presentation was out of this world.
Cheers again
Colin
I think you encountered a swarm of mayflies, much smaller but similar. They do stop traffic, in June in this area because the swarms are so thick. The ones I saw here last night are the really big ones, about 5 inches from head to tail.
DeleteWell Cynthia - I can assure you that none of us got out of the car to measure the size of the bloody pests - ha ha! As Aussies we know when to stay inside with every conceivable entry firmly closed, and when a "swarm" is on, that is one time!!!
DeleteI must say I am surprised that people have obviously never experienced a "Swarm" before - incredible!
Fantastic weather for the last day of winter in Brisbane - actually winter didn't really arrive this year - the typical horrible windy August certainly didn't.
Cheers
Colin
Wow, how amazing. I think I would have panicked a little wondering what on Earth was going on. I brush my teeth while checking the state of the boys bedrooms that way it stops me screaming as I have a bush and too much froth in my mush x
ReplyDeleteWow! I've never seen such a thing before either. That's a great photo of them.
ReplyDeleteMy goodness, they are large. I bet it was amazing watching them.
ReplyDeleteAt first sight I thought it were drones! Amazing that they are so big!
ReplyDeleteCynthia, I haven't seen that before. It is very interesting.
ReplyDeleteDear Cynthia, one of the wonderful things about blogging is all I learn--things I never knew I didn't know! So thanks for this info on dragonflies swarming. Nature is amazing. Peace.
ReplyDeleteI have never seen anything like that! My first thought was drones too. It looks a little scary with so many coming over the hill, like an invasion.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful! They eat tons of skeeters:)
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of this happening let alone seen it.
ReplyDeleteWOW! What a spectacle. I've never heard of this. So glad you saw it.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen anything like that - it would have been amazing!
ReplyDelete