Living Among Nature

One of the reasons why I am so very happy to be living where we are now is that I have the time and the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors, right at my own backyard so to speak.  The other day I talked my husband into taking time on his day off to put down his "to do" list and come with me on a bike ride.  

Everyone around here knows the bridge is closed at the end of our road.  You can still cross the road on foot but no cars are allowed to pass on it.  It has been this way for over four years the locals say.  I have no problem with that because it is a beautiful nature trail to the river that runs out to the bay of Lake Erie near Long Point.  

Just to give you a little bit of insight to the area we live in, it is known as the Carolinian region where native trees (Sassafras, Cucumber Magnolia, Tulip-tree, Black Walnut, Pawpa) a distinctly southern character and has one-third of Canada’s rare and endangered plants and animals living here. It is hot and humid, on some days I've thought to myself how much it reminds me of the tropics but then again I've never been to South or North Carolina so I have nothing to compare it to.


Here are some of the photos and a video I took that day.  It was just as muggy and humid as it might look but the river was so peaceful and so many birds were singing everywhere.  It was like something out of a movie. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lqrkb4iW5-Q

In my backyard along my garden path, I found this little creature helping control the insect population, in which there is plenty around here.

We are currently experiencing an invasion of Midges, which happens annually about this time of the year. We are dealing with them as best we can.  They have said this has been the worst year so far.  Wouldn't you know it and its our first year here.

Midges resemble mosquitoes with fuzzy antennae but aren't suppose to bite or transmit any diseases. The black, shifting swarms in the sky looked like a Biblical plaque!  I'm not kidding you! It is very eerie near Lake Erie (pun intended).  They disappear within a couple of weeks or so because the life cycle of the adults only last a few weeks.  When they are swarming in the skies, they are actually mating. After mating in the air, the females drop back down to lakes and waterways to lay eggs just so we can be annoyed by them again next spring.   

What I hate about it is how they coat the side of your house, doors, screens, vehicles and are all over the yard and in the bushes...you get swarmed by them every time you go outside and they try to get inside where your lights are on.  They are just an annoyance but they won't hurt you. 

Tip: Since I swallowed a few the other day when I was running around like a wild woman flailing my hands in the air to shoo them away, I recommend keeping your head down with your mouth and eyes shut if you can make it through the insect gauntlet to or from your vehicle.

What's next?  We already know...mosquitoes are on their way so at least the Midges have gotten us to be prepared. ...ah, the joys of summer!