Invasion of the Cicadas

I think our biggest Hi-Light this week would have to be the Invasion of the Cicadas!  I mentioned them a couple of posts ago~how we could hear them singing, but they've taken it to a new level this week.  We live in the woods, and they have taken up residence in our trees.  They start getting revved up mid-morning, and we can hear a distant whining sound.  As the morning progresses, they start swarming everywhere and get louder.  By early afternoon, it is literally ear-piercing to be outside.  My mom asked if we could hear them in the house~~oh, definitely.  In fact, James could hear them over the lawn mower he was pushing!  They swarm and stay loud until about dusk or a little after. 

(This is not the hand of one of my family members!  Yuck!)
Once we transferred this video, you can't really see them flying, but you can hear them "sing.
These are the 17 year cicadas, and they stretch from Maine down through Appalachia.  They "sing", mate, lay eggs under ground, and die.  The babies will stay underground until the next cycle, then crawl out.  They will probably be here about 2 months total.  We have holes all over our yard where they have come out (shiver).  These are not to be confused with the 13 year cicadas, which are from the appalachia area west.  Aren't we lucky?   We get both of them.
Marissa and Daniella have chased them, caught them in butterfly nets, and delight in feeding them to the dogs.  James read that they are harmless to the dogs, and we'll hope so, because the dogs love them.  Ashley's dog chases them, and she'll only eat the live ones.  Eww.  It's disgusting to listen to her crunch them.  The Yorkie isn't  picky.  He'll eat them dead or alive. 
The girls also saw one squirming out of his shell and unfolding and drying his wings.  They are swarming so much the last few days that the girls are not going out much right now.  As much as they delighted in catching them, they do not delight in having them land on them.
But, ahh, what a learning experience.  :  )

Letitia

Who is counting down the time until her trip!