Monday, August 29, 2011

Our World: Cicada


I went outside to turn on the water and waiting for me at the faucet
was this little guy.
Staring right at me.


Cicada



He molted recently and his shell is in the  back on the right.
Look carefully.
Can you see his three extra eyes?
(Between the two large ones.)




Cicada


Did you know there are over 2500 different species of cicada?
Only the males sing.
Believe it or not, even in our horrible heat, the guys have been singing
late in the evening.


Be sure to see what else is happening in the world and visit

Wishing YOU well and a JOY filled week.






21 comments:

Deb said...

Wow! He's interesting.

Penelope Notes said...

This delightful little creature could be thirsty and singing with joy because it senses water is nearby at the faucet. :)

Carver said...

Fantastic shots of the cicada.

Janet said...

In the first photo his middle eye almost looks like a little heart!

Arija said...

They sure can sing, just wait for the first shower and you will have to wear ear plugs.
Super photos, as though he were just waiting for you to take his portrait. I had never seen a cicada quite that close and personal before. Great post.

The Bodhi Chicklet said...

Wow, these are amazing shots. The three extra eyes?! That is the first I heard of it. If I have pegged them right, one would almost have a heart shape (the one in the very center). Honestly, finding the shed skin often freaks me out a bit (term from the 70's I'm afraid) but they do fascinate me at the same time. Such large insects, even here in the north - it makes me wonder how in the heck they grow to such grandeur with such a short season (here, at any rate - it no longer surprises me to find such large insects further south). And now I have babbled and blathered (and hiccupped quite a lot as I seem to have acquired these whilst writing this). As for this one little guy showing up on your faucet and staring you down, Ted Andrews' summary of the message the cicada has to bring is, "happiness from your past is returning. Surprising gift or offering will touch your heart. Explore past life connections." I don't know if that makes any sense or will make any sense in the coming days but it is an interesting way of looking at this little squirt. OK, I think I have blathered on enough for one post!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

You got some great shots of the Cicada, Snap. We didn't have them here this summer.. They seemed to just be in certain places. Bet they are miserable in Texas --with all of the head and dry conditions.
Hugs,
Betsy

Debra She Who Seeks said...

What big black shiny eyes you have! Plus 3 more!

Indrani said...

Ooooh! The first shot. It is fantastic!

Pondside said...

I like the sound of cicadas, but haven't heard them for a long time.

Sylvia K said...

Fascinating captures and a delightful look at your world! I couldn't agree with you more -- I too am a continuing work in progress and at my age that can take a lot of effort, but it's worth it! Love your kitties as well! Thank you for joining us at "Our World"! It is a wonderful way to see and share the beauties of Our Worlds! Have a wonderful week!

Sylvia

Anonymous said...

I love the song these critters sing! Wonderful macro shots.

Anonymous said...

cool shots.

Ebie said...

I saw the tiny little orange eye, in the middle?

Hmmm, in the heat of the night, I'd be sleepless, but if the males sing, let it be a serenade.

Cute post!

We hope that our hot weather cools down.

NatureFootstep said...

nice shots. If there is any animal that can give you a strong headache, it is the cicada.
I heard hem last february in Costa Rica and wanted to run away from that forest. :(

Stewart M said...

Hi there - nice pictures. We have lots of cicadas in Australia - they seem to sing more when its hot. On really hot days they seem to get into a combined rhythm that makes it feel ever hotter!

Stewart M - Australia

Tania said...

Really fascinating to study small creation like this. Your pictures are great and so many details.
Happy week!

Jackie said...

Fascinating little creature, I didn't know they had three extra eyes either. We do not have Cicadas here, we have Crickets and Grasshoppers, much smaller than Cicadas. I have heard the Crickets this year during one of our few hot days this year. Great photo's.

LindyLouMac said...

What a cute creature, the ones here are boring brown little chaps!

eileeninmd said...

Cool closeups, Snap! I have not seen many Cicadas here, mostly crickets, grasshoppers and some loud locust. Great photos, have a wonderful day.

Ekaterina Trayt said...

Wow, such a cute insect! And its eyes! I think I'm in love.