We have a lot... and I really do mean A LOT... of bugs/spiders/creepy crawlies here in central Texas. And I'm not too fond of many of them. Hardly any, in fact. I like the butterflies, dragonflies, fireflies, and oddly enough, Cicadas.
Alan spotted this one pulling out of it's shell on one of the uprights under our back porch and called me outside to take photos. It is the first one we've seen so far this year -- soon, the air will be filled with their crazy "buzzing" sounds.
Amazing photos, they remind me of watching the Discovery Channel (or in the old days "Wild Kingdom"). I am amazed you caught the creature at the right time on film. We don't have them where I live but I have been places and heard them and they are loud. Thank you for sharing your awesome talent and the time it takes you to blog it for the rest of us.
Posted by: rose kerry | June 11, 2010 at 10:38 AM
Amazing photos!!! Growing up in Louisiana I used to pull the shells from the pine trees and attach them to my clothes and would walk around with them literally all over me! Fun memories!!!
Posted by: Michelle H in IL | June 09, 2010 at 03:47 PM
they're almost as bad as June bugs..HATE those things..very cool pics by the way..
Posted by: Kellie | June 07, 2010 at 07:35 PM
What amazing pictures. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Susan N | June 07, 2010 at 09:49 AM
EWWWWW ... I am much more partial to your farm critter photos than those of bugs! However, that is a great photo, Anna.
Posted by: bonnie weiss | June 07, 2010 at 03:47 AM
WOW - those pics are amazing! My younger son collected the "shells" in a canning jar for a few weeks last year. I kept threatening to dump them on people's heads when they didn't behave! hee hee
Posted by: Michelle Mathey | June 06, 2010 at 07:27 PM
We won't start hearing the cicadas here in Michigan until August...approximately six weeks before our first frost. Their buzzing is somewhat sad because we know summer will soon end, and our summers are short enough as it is! Your photos of this emerging cicada are phenomenal, Anna.
Posted by: Charlene Merrick | June 06, 2010 at 06:02 PM
P.S. they are not a true locust, which is a grasshopper relative.
Posted by: Shala | June 06, 2010 at 04:15 PM
Lovely photos! I'm so glad we have you so that my not-so-lovely photos can be ignored and yours shown to the kids. :)
These have been called many names, among them Dog Day Harvest Flies.
As larvae, they suck on tree roots. Then, when it is time for their last molt, up they come for Anna to take their photo! :)
My pug looks like them. Really.
Posted by: Shala | June 06, 2010 at 04:14 PM
I always heard them called Locust--and around here they seem to come out of their shells at night--I've seen alot of them emerge and its a cool thing to watch and your pics are great of this one :)
Posted by: Sheila | June 06, 2010 at 11:55 AM
Oh My Stars those photo's are AMAZING!
Wow, I'm not really creeped out by bugs (other then spiders) and I found these photo's to be quite fascinating. Thank you Alan for getting Anna to take these awesome pictures and thank you Anna for sharing them.
Posted by: Ida | June 06, 2010 at 09:26 AM
Can't believe you caught that on camera...
I too hate there sounds. So shrill! Sounds like the wires are buzzing. We have seen empty shells on the trees before here in MN...
Posted by: Gramma_Dar | June 06, 2010 at 09:22 AM
Anna,
I have to admit, I grew up in Eastern New Mexico and we also had TONS of cicadas. I hate them! They used to dive bomb to me and get tangled up in my hair - freaked me out! Just the photo . . . my palms are sweaty. LOL
BUT I must admit that with all the opportunity, I've never seen one coming out of it's shell and I'm thankful for your great photography skills.
Hugs!
Posted by: Sharli | June 06, 2010 at 08:00 AM
A*W*E*S*O*M*E* pictures!!! I have seen MANY shells, but never the process. How cool! Thank you for sharing. I love the sound they make, it reminds me of home in east TN, and childhood. That always makes me smile! I used to get the shells and silently attach them to my brother, or my Mom; then watch them discover them a screech! LOL Those are great memories! hehe :D
Posted by: diane mcvey | June 06, 2010 at 06:49 AM
It is a little early for cicadas here. I am not a fan! They seem a little creepy and a so noisy. Great photos,though...hugs...
Posted by: Carol Dee | June 06, 2010 at 06:21 AM
I've never seen this happening so i am very grateful for the photos. I did see the shell of one yesterday. I really like to look at fireflies. I need to learn what to do to attract them to my yard. So fun for grandkids I bet.
Posted by: jeanette | June 06, 2010 at 05:15 AM
What an incredible stroke of luck to have captured the emergence of a brand new cicada. Its rare to see its wings still in their folded state like that. Great find Alan! and marvelous photo Anna!
Posted by: Gabi With An Eye | June 06, 2010 at 04:09 AM
I love fireflies - it's the only bug I'll pick up (gently) here and put outside if one gets trapped inside. Cicadas are the goofiest looking creatures. Sometimes they are nearly deafening, here, late in the summer. Haven't heard them yet.
Posted by: SueB | June 06, 2010 at 03:21 AM