Rare sighting of a PA katydid – Photo: L.Weikel
Katydids Here, Katydids There
This is my first visit to North Carolina, to the Smoky Mountains, to Amadell in August. So I wasn’t sure what to expect.
What kinds of insects would I encounter? Are there ticks? A lot of mosquitoes? Would crickets play a big part on my private mountain playlist?
I knew for sure that lightning bugs are prevalent here – at least in late May/early June. In fact, this area is world-renowned for its specific strain of lightning bug: the synchronous ones.
Other than that, though, I did not know whether I would share the night, especially with familiar sounds, new ones, or – perhaps – utter silence.
Double Bonus – Lightning Bugs AND Katydids
As the night wears on and I’m welcomed back quite palpably by the Spirits of this Place (as well as the humans, I’m grateful to say), I’m given even more reason to love this place: Katydids!
Nothing says late summer to me more than the scratchy, insistent accusation late into the night by these wonderful insects: “Katydid!” Just the other night, as Karl and I were walking about half an hour after sunset, I wondered if katydids live in North Carolina – or specifically, in the mountains down here.
I’m delighted to report that katydids are full-fledged participants in the Amadell experience. Trust me: any yearning on my part for my Pennsylvania night chatter is fully slaked as I sit here writing with my windows open.
Indeed, I shall be lulled to sleep tonight by their comforting, critcheting calls.
I love katydids.
(T-842)