Dancing Echoes

Beats Stumbling Around in Silence

Fire Ants

by 16 Comments

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Unbeknownst to me, stealthily scrum at my feet awaiting the simultaneous signal pheromone release

Searing fire explodes my dance begins little bastards

Fire Ants

My worst encounter with fire ants resulted in over thirty stings. We’d had a Mullet fish fry and I had stuck the backbones in a bucket for crabbing. Later that night (and after numerous beers) I went out into the front yard to load the crab trap. About half way through the process I felt something weird all over my hands and arms and in a sudden flash of recognition but before I could utter “Oh shit!” they all stung in unison. I did what any drunk, sane person would do and hurled myself into the canal to rid myself of these unwanted stinging pests. “Next time” I muttered to myself, “I’ll remember to fill the chum bucket with water.”
So, you ask, what idiot would go out and deliberately smack a fire ant mound to get that perfect shot? (Slowly raises hand) and yes, I got stung. What we do for art, right?

Inspred by CARPE DIEM HAIKU KAI: Tokubetsudesu #50 one-bun

Author: Dancing Echoes

I am a scientist by trade and artist by soul. My creative outlet used to be dancing but due to injuries and age, I must now find another path. I am hoping my writing, poetry and photography can be this new path. Awards: While I am grateful and honored for the numerous nominations, I don’t have time to respond to them with the attention they deserve, so for the most part, I am an award free blog. All photographs and words are mine unless otherwise credited. © 2015-2024 Dancing Echoes ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author/owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Christy Draper with appropriate and specific direction to the original content on Dancing Echoes.

16 thoughts on “Fire Ants”

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  1. Cheryl "Cheffie Cooks" Wiser
    July 12, 2015 at 10:00 am

    We have fire ants in Florida and they are a nuisance! We have to use gasoline to rid the ant mounds then spray the next day. Stepping on them or around them and getting bit is painful!

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Dancing Echoes
    July 12, 2015 at 10:35 am

    Yes the stings are painful and last for days. I too am in FL. Howdy neighbor!

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Snapshotsincursive
    July 12, 2015 at 3:28 pm

    I’ll never forget my first run-in with fire ants. I was 10 years old and had just recently moved to Florida. Naturally, I loved going barefoot until………….holy cow, that hurt!!! lol

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Snapshotsincursive
    July 12, 2015 at 3:28 pm

    Keep Calm and Live Well!
    “POST A QUOTE” CHALLENGE!
    Everyone has quotes that impact them. Perhaps you will take a moment to share your favorites with others. Please follow the link to http://snapshotsincursive.com/2015/07/12

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Dancing Echoes
    July 12, 2015 at 3:36 pm

    Ouch! I think everyone new to FL has to deal with a “first time”. What most people don’t realize is that they can be quite dangerous. New born animals such as calves and wandering toddlers can be swarmed and stung to death. A few people I know have developed a bad allergy to their stings too.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Dancing Echoes
    July 12, 2015 at 3:39 pm

    Thank you for the challenge. I appreciate your thinking of me. I will get to this but I will warn you ahead of time that I am always slow when it comes to responding to these challenges and awards. They are outside my comfort zone and take me a while to assemble. But I will do it!

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Snapshotsincursive
    July 12, 2015 at 3:43 pm

    It’s almost like touching an iron for the first time. One seldom forgets.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Snapshotsincursive
    July 12, 2015 at 3:45 pm

    Erika, take your time. My response has been ten days coming. lol. I did get swamped with several at the same time. And I have to “process” my thoughts before acting on them. 🍓

    Liked by 1 person

  11. memeethemuse
    July 12, 2015 at 5:34 pm

    I feel your pain! I think the state of Louisiana should put me on the payroll as their #1 Fire Ant Hill Pest Patrol Person. Every year I go back there and every year, without fail, I find at least one Fire Ant mound to step into. The first time I took a step backwards so I could get a better composition on a photo I was taking…. YOUCH!!!!!!!!!! You’d think I’d’ve learned my lesson. But nope, it happens every year, my son thinks, of course, that it is hilarious because I am the only one who seems to locate those little burning bastards!

    Thanks for stopping by my blog and thanks for sharing your stories with the world 🙂

    ☀ Memee

    Liked by 1 person

  12. doveinthedungeon
    July 12, 2015 at 9:52 pm

    Ouch, ouch, ouch!! Little bastards, indeed!!! Painful lesson! :O

    But I relate to the last bit – probably would have tried for a photo too. For art’s sake! 🙂

    Great post – glad to see the entire piece 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  13. Dancing Echoes
    July 12, 2015 at 9:53 pm

    Thank you! Your work is awesome.

    Liked by 1 person

  14. doveinthedungeon
    July 12, 2015 at 11:03 pm

    Thank you — ! I’m so glad you enjoy it 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  16. markbialczak
    July 17, 2015 at 10:05 am

    Don’t dig that burn, DE.

    Liked by 1 person

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