These are midges, family Chironomidae, in the true flies, Diptera. You can see them every month Fall to Spring, not sure about summer. There were hundreds out on the 1st in Kings Co.
Some recent interesting physics:

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/01/science/physics-midges-starlings-swarm.html

Rick W.

On Mon, 3 Jan 2022 at 09:40, Suzanne Townsend <tgssuzanne@gmail.com> wrote:
Can someone identify the little flying fluffballs that come out on a warmish winter day (and in spring and fall) and fly around in the same area for long periods of time? They fly vertically, up and down, up and down, in a group, and look like they are being juggled by many invisible hands... the group can move laterally while continuing their constant vertical movement. Are they wooly alder aphids, or something else?
Many thanks
Suzanne at Hatchet Lake


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