I dunno. I feel like Let’s Go To Kirstenbosch (On Flying Ant Day) should be a song title. Something Britpoppy – maybe Ocean Colour Scene or Supergrass. Just an album track or a B-side, though. You’re never going to hit the heights with that sort of title. But true fans will love it.
But anyway. I digress. Often.
Flying Ant Day is an informal term for the Nuptial Flight:
“Flying ant day” in South Africa usually occurs during warm, humid days, often in late spring or summer, following heavy rain. These swarms, often termed rain ants, are largely winged termites (alate termites) emerging to mate and establish new colonies.
Warm day? Check – a balmy 25oC.
Following heavy rain? Er… yes.
Today was the day.
I’m not good at estimating numbers, but I’d say that there was as many as twelve or fourteen of the little buggers hovering about and bonking. Because that’s what they do.
Literally clouds of bonking insects.
The low sun made visualising them fairly easy, but it’s worth remembering that even when you couldn’t see them: they were still there, still bonking.
Of course I didn’t just take photos of flying ants – a challenge though it was with only a 150-600mm lens – but those pics can be saved for another blog post (or posted on Instagram) (or both).
Maybe there was even space for a dreamy abstract image as the sun dipped behind the mountain:
Apparently yes, there was. All still at it in the evening sunshine.
A fascinating phenomenon, and really quite incredible to witness. Still, not something I’d advise if you have any sort of phobia or if you struggle with breathing. I’ll definitely take a mask next time.