They’re back!

(catching up on back blips)
Monday June 2
This is the year for the emergence of the Brood XIV periodic cicadas in our area. Periodical cicadas spend most of their lives underground, emerging en masse in their 13th or in this case 17th year, when the soil temperature hits temperatures of about 64F. The males attract mates by rapidly vibrating drum like timbales on the sides of their abdomen to produce sound. They shed their exoskeletons, see top right photo in my collage at the foot of the oak tree in our garden, attach themselves to branches, mate, and lay eggs, before dying off in about six weeks! The hatched nymphs then will drop off the trees and burrow underground to live for another 17 years underground. A strange existence! We first started seeing them around here a few weeks ago, but the last few days, their numbers have really picked up, evidenced by their terrific noise, seeing them flying around, and finding dead ones all over the patio and the driveway. Fortunately they don’t bite or harm you in any way, but they will occasionally fly into you when you’re outside! Some people can’t stand them, but to me they’re kind of fascinating, but nonetheless I’ll be happy to see them gone in about a month, and not have to worry about them for another 17 years - if I'm still here then!