As I stand at the corner waiting for a “piki-piki” (motorcycle taxi), I become aware of a gentle rain of what turns out to be insect wings, translucent and softly falling to the ground, in places almost covering it. They are the discarded wings of “kumbi-kumbi”, a flying insect that emerges from holes in the soil by the billions, takes to the air, mates and returns to earth to scurry back underground. They also provide food for other insects, birds and animals, including people. Between rainstorms children and adults are out with cups and bowls gathering them up, eating some fresh and keeping some for frying up in oil and salt, apparently quite tasty although I have yet to try them.
kumbi-kumbi
Snack time
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The piki-piki arrives and we drive the winding road down into town. In the distance I see what appears to be mist or low cloud above the road. As we get closer I realize it is a cloud of midges, freshly hatched and flying en masse. The fecundity of nature here astounds and delights me, so many different types of plants, insects and birds all in such luxurious abundance. At night the frogs are singing a lusty chorus that is almost deafening. Birds are busy nesting, taking advantage of all the insects hatching to feed their babies
Weaver
Weaver colony
Schedules bend to accommodate the rain. If you have a meeting planned for 9AM and the rains come, no one is going to be there. It will have to wait until the rain lets up, no one is working outside, everyone is either at home or under cover. From our vantage point overlooking the lake and town, we see the storm clouds rolling in. At night, far across the lake, the clouds are illuminated by the distant lightning.
Lizard Buzzard
Maribou Storks
wattsgoingon 