The Gollywhoppers are Back!

  My job lately has been to paint the new siding that is being installed on the Little Bayou House.  As soon as Mark and Son get a part completed, I slap a coat of paint on it. I do not mind painting as it is a mindless task and, as I paint, my brain can wander where it pleases.  Also, since I am standing on a scaffolding to reach the upper portions of the house, I have a wonderful view of the hillside.  This makes for all sorts of interesting photo opportunities so the camera goes up with me.

  While slinging that paintbrush, I found that I had a visitor.  A critter came up the wall in a bouncy sort of way.  The bug even bounced on the freshly painted board and then on my shoulder.  This caused me a bit of worry since I thought perhaps its next encounter would be my paint bucket.  I shooed the critter softly to the drier portion of the siding where it bounced for a few moments before settling down to rest in the shade. Wow!  From my perspective, this looked a lot like a huge mosquito!  I was sure thankful that I recognized it as Crane Fly and did not have to do a bunch of slapping or dodging this one like I do with the actual mosquitoes!

  I find it humorous that so many names have been attached to this poor critter.  Crane Fly, Skeeter, Mosquito Hawk, Gollywhopper and Skeeter Eater are just a few of the names that people have attached to the poor bug.  (My favorite being Gollywhopper!  Love that name!)  Then again, there are countless myths of how this critter can inflict a terribly painful bite or sting so having countless names only stands to reason!  The part about biting or stinging is just plain not so.  The critter does not even have a biting part to its mouth!  About all it can do is sip nectar or water.

  My little friend kept me company for the entire morning and then flitted...bounced...wobbled its way to the shady area beneath the wisteria arbor.  This one was waiting to find a companion so it could mate and let life continue for the Crane Fly species.  Bounce on, Little Friend.