There's no denying that June is bug season, but there's good news to report: The dragonflies have arrived to fight the good fight! Whole squadrons of these skilled little pilots are on patrol and picking off the enemy, er, I mean the mosquitoes, one by one.
I took my usual bike ride up past the lake and I had a whole convoy of dragonflies keeping pace with me. They like warm, dry sunny afternoons for hunting, and can be seen whizzing about over the lawns and meadows around the inn. Not only are they completely harmless to people, and great at controlling the insect population, they are beautiful little works of art with their shimmering wings the colour of soap bubbles.
I used to be a little afraid of dragonflies with their strange, helicopter shape and larger-than-life name. But then I realized that they're on our side. They eat the bad guys—the mosquitoes, black flies and deer flies—that would otherwise try to eat us. In fact, the black flies are now done for the year and the worst of the bug season is behind us.
Dragonflies are not alone on my 'good bug' list. Late June also brings us fire flies! Even as we enter our fourth summer here, I still get excited to see the fire flies. Their season is short-lived, just a few weeks of nocturnal lightbums going off over the back lawn like mini paparazzi flashes. Enjoy the show while soaking in the hot tub, or from the new deck in front of the Coop, late in the evening when the backdrop is good and dark.
Perhaps everyone's favourite insect, the bug with the best PR, is the delicate and colourful butterfly. Right now, we often see Canadian Tiger Swallowtails (pictured), and soon the ever-popular Monarchs will be fluttering by in all their majesty.
If bugs aren't your thing, then sit back and watch the antics of the hummingbirds. They're tiny but feisty, particularly the males, who defend the feeder with much gusto and bravado. Our most patient of guests have managed to photograph these little marvels mid-flight. Take a look at our photo-gallery, or bring your camera on your next visit and see what you can capture on 'film'.Nature will bear the closest inspection. She invites us to lay our eye level with her smallest leaf, and take an insect view of its plain.
- Henry David Thoreau
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