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May 26, 2008
Cicada Summer
They're here.
Every seventeen years these critters crawl out of the ground at the same time and dominate the summer. They're strange and a little annoying (as the sidewalks in our neighborhood are littered with them), but there's something pretty amazing about their impeccably odd timing.
Their cycle evokes a certain nostalgia in folks who grew up in areas that experience the phenomenon: Cal remembers swatting them on the way home from the bus stop after school, and that she couldn't wait to escape to her Grandma's (cicada-free) house in Toledo for the summer.
Naomi's having fun picking them up by their wings. She'll be 20 when this brood returns. I wonder if she'll still pick them up.
On a related note, just trust me and download Cicada Summer by one of my favorite Cincinnati-based artists, David Wolfenberger (link launches iTunes):
If you don't agree that it's the best musical ode to a flying insect that you've ever heard (and, actually, just a great summertime song), I'll personally refund your dollar.
Posted by Matt at May 26, 2008 12:15 PM
Comments
Hmmmm, they don't have those in Colorado, so I'm not sure about a critter like that..... but I'm all for great memories every 17 years, so yay for your Cicadas! Enjoy them! (and keep them out East.....), I like our relatively-bug-free environment here. Thanks for sharing the pictures though!! And yes, that's a nice musical ode to a bug. ;)
Posted by: Stacie at May 27, 2008 04:52 PM
Trust me...you don't want them! They emerged this past weekend by the millions. They are everywhere (at least in our neighborhood) but our friends across town don't have any. In a few days they will start flying into anything in their path and making a seriously loud mating call. I can't wait to head to Ashland for a week away from these critters! :)
Posted by: calley at May 27, 2008 05:37 PM
Yeah, they are bad. They were actually out in Columbus a couple years ago. I was at the Memorial Tournament, and they were flying into Tiger's face in his backswing. Nice.
Posted by: Jon at May 28, 2008 10:17 PM