Clouds of gnats hover
over sunlit forest paths
—Hikers arms flailing—
This is my response to the Naturalist Weekly prompt.
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Haiku – Spring Insects
Clouds of gnats hover
over sunlit forest paths
—Hikers arms flailing—
This is my response to the Naturalist Weekly prompt.
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
THE WOUND THAT HEALS 
Perfect ku for the gnats that hover. These clouds of gnats are really exciting when you step into one at dusk and end up in the middle of a bat feeding frenzy.
LikeLiked by 5 people
Wow, I forgot about bats. In early spring and late fall, when the swifts and swallows are absent, I often wave my arms about. It’s tricky with one hand holding a cane. 🙂
LikeLiked by 5 people
Hi Mary Jo, Thanks for sharing this wonderful haiku about the often overlooked gnat! I hope you have a good weekend and thanks for linking up.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I would love to overlook the gnats, Mark. Have a great weekend as well. 🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
Very vivid, relatable verse, Mary Jo!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gnats seem ubiquitous! Thank you, Dave. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, I can just imagine all the gnats
LikeLiked by 2 people
Near moisture, they’re incorrigible! Thanks, Robbie. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
You have brought me back to Northern Manitoba and the summer days that brought what we called black flies. They bit into our skin and produced blood and bumps in the healing process. I read that there are at least 16 species of black flies in Manitoba. The article named them “the flying demons”. This is what I learned: when going into nature, never wear perfume.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Oh biting flies and gnats are awful! I’ve learned that scent lesson too, Rebecca. Thankfully, the cloud swarm type are harmless; they just like our hair, eyes and mouth! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
While I tried to avoid black flies, I know they are essential for our well being, which is brought out by this ancient Japanese season. The Canadian Encyclopedia states: “Black fly larvae are an important part of aquatic food webs. Larger rivers can host over 600,000 larvae per square metre and can produce close to a billion adults per kilometre per day. Larvae are eaten by fish and aquatic invertebrates, while adults are prey for birds. In the act of feeding, black fly larvae transform fine organic particles into nutrient-rich fecal matter.”https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/black-fly
Thank you for this great discussion, Mary Jo!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I learned a hard lesson purchasing soil for transplanting household plants. Unbeknownst to me, it was laden with tiny black fly larvae (fungus gnats), and each time I watered the plants…well you understand. After trying every suggested tactic, they won the war. Each female lays about 300 eggs, as there aren’t any fish or fowl in my home to help me. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh my goodness, Mary Jo. There is a life lesson here! You were so brave!
LikeLiked by 2 people
We have black flies in northern New England as well (and gnats and the dreaded noseeums), Rebecca. We don’t have fire ants, which is some consolation, I suppose.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Fire ants! YIKES! What I found with black flies that they had a preference for people. I find insects fascinating.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I’ve been bitten by fire ants, and it is horribly painful, a combination of extreme pain and extreme itching both at the same time.
LikeLiked by 2 people
OUCH!!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Your haiku made me laugh! Here, we get midges especially around Lough Neagh. Thankfully they don’t bite, but there are usually trillions of them, so arm waving is common! 🙋♂️
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m happy you laughed, Ashley! It does make for a humorous sight. Waving across the pond 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
I love your haiku, Mary Jo (albeit not its real-life equivalent).
LikeLiked by 2 people
Haha! Thanks, Liz. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
You’re welcome, Mary Jo.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautifully penned My Friend. Ah those gnats! Reminds me of my spring walks.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I hoped it would, Goff. Walks are much more pleasant without having to wave our arms about. Thank you! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I only understood and felt “gnats” when I saw your picture, Mary Jo. Many thanks:)
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Martina. Gnats in a photo are preferable to gnats in reality. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
:):)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am in that cloud of gnats with you. Hard to walk when you are closing your eyes to avoid thtem from sneaking behind your glasses!! So far I’ve only seen strays. Once though when I was in Kentucky I came across Mayflies… they look worse than they are. But still one was on outside of the tenth floor window pane!!
Looking forward for a warmer day tomorrow – today started at 31F!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
While camping in northern Wisconsin in 1972, I was outside at night during a mayfly hatch. In lantern light, it look like a blizzard!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was amazed at how big the bug was over an inch long in lenght. It must have been an adult!
I hope some bats had a feast 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful haiku, Mary Jo. Makes me see differently those gnats that I try to avoid in those Spring walks! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Marina! Thank you for your kind comment. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure, Mary Jo! xoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person