cicadapocalypse
Genus Magicicada, Brood XIX – The Great Southern Brood of the 13-year cicada variety … they are here in the millions. “Cicadapocalypse”, as one of the boys calls it. I honestly can’t remember seeing them this prolific before; the throbbing noise in the trees outside almost borders on being painful to the ear. You can’t walk across the driveway or sidewalk without crunching underfoot. Dropping out of trees, landing on your head, your shoulder, and screeching in your ear.
Riding a bike through their erratic swarming masses is like being pelted with, well … very big bugs.
Still, I am fascinated by them – and I love going out and standing under the trees to watch them. Their tenacity, their big red eyes, even the pulsating noise that drowns out everything else. And despite their scary looks, they are gentle and fairly docile when they land on you (once you get past the scratchy feeling of their grasping little legs). After spending 13 years underground, the’ve emerged with joy (?) to find a mate and to complete the cycle. And I wonder where I will be and what I will be doing when their progeny arrive?
It may be a good reminder: to love much and make all the noise you can while you’re here and have the chance? 😉
a bugs'-eye perspective?
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shebicycles 
I love that top photo. Very cool bug…but I don’t think I’ve ever seen one. Great words to live by, Cassi….Love Much and make all the Noise you can. Very nice.
Darryl
you must stop this…I’m running out of adjectives for your great photos
Great photos! They are interesting creatures, that’s for sure. I’m curious to see if we get them this year. We got 17 year cicadas back in ’04, looking at the map and such I think we might be lucky enough to get 17 year AND 13 year cicadas!
Oh, what’s that other thing in your photos? Looks like sunshine! More of that!
I find the whole cicadia life cycle story quite bizarre! I love the moral you came up with. Really great lesson to remember!