Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Buffalo Gnats at Emiquon

Buffalo Gnats are back! They are very aggressive and come in large clouds of bugs intent on dining on my mucous membranes. Scott and I took a walk along Morton Ridge at Emiquon, and the gnats were thick. We didn't stay long.

These aren't buffalo gnats, but some other species swarming above my head.

BuffaloGnatsEmiquonRidge04242010JGWard_MG_8325

BuffaloGnatsEmiquonRidge04242010JGWard_MG_8333

I haven't been able to actually photograph a buffalo gnat, they are always diving at me and making me flee before I can take a photograph. Buggins Natural Insect Repellent worked a little, but after about 10 minutes, the gnats were diving at me again, biting me on my neck, leaving large welts.

From the ridge you can see Thompson Lake running from horizon to horizon.

View to the North:
ViewEmiquonRidgeNorth04242010JGWard_MG_8316

View of Prairie Road:
ViewEmiquonRidgePrairieRd04242010JGWard_MG_8312

View to the South (you can see Havana!):
ViewEmiquonRidge04242010JGWard_MG_8304

In the estuary that used to be Mud Lake, Pelicans and Egrets were gathering.
PelicansEgretsEmiquon04242010JGWard_MG_8319

On the way back to the car, a Bluebird flew to one of the Bluebird boxes along the ridge.
BluebirdEmiquonRidge04242010JGWard_MG_8341