Mayflies

Being a resident of the Hubbard Lake community, I have the opportunity of observe an abundance of life forms which include black bears, bobcats, black squirrels, birds, fish, and in mid-June into early July-mayflies.

Mayflies are aquatic insects known for their short adult lifespan, which is dedicated to mating, and their role as indicators of clean water.  They have a unique life cycle, spending most of their lives as aquatic nymphs before emerging as winged adults that molt one last time into the final reproductive stage.  Adults swarm to mate, and lay eggs in the water, after which they die, making them a crucial food source for fish like trout during their “hatches”. The adult lifespan is extremely short, often just hours or a couple of days, as they do not feed.

-Wikipedia

Last week, I read a post on "I Love Hubbard Lake" that simply stated, "They are back," and another that said, "While the sheer number of bugs (millions) can be a nuisance and may create a noticeable odor as they die off, their presence is an indicator of healthy, unpolluted water with high oxygen levels".

I offer you a poem by Paul Rochberg (1944-1964):

We are like the mayflies

That live only hours

Dying with the taste of morning on our lips.

Considering the age of our planet, Rochberg's simile may contain some truth, but considering the lifespan of Homo sapiens, I have been blessed long enough to taste the flavor of evening.

CPW