Cowboy cicada?
August 14, 2010
I spotted this cicada while taking out the trash. We’ve had to raccoon-proof our trash bin with a bungee cord get-up, and the cicada was astraddle it like John Travolta on the mechanical bull. You’ve seen Urban Cowboy, right?
Getting my shot I spooked him, and he flew at my head in alarm, waving his hat and yee-hawing. Gah!
Then, with a whirr of his wings, he was gone. Adios, cowboy.
All material © 2006-2010 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
Wow, you got a great picture. haha!
They are the most unusual insects. Maybe I think that because they are so noticeable. Great photo of this cowboy.
How funny. What great detail you captured, love the wings.
I love these guys, their piercing call just means that hot languid weather is here. Lately I have been using them as a sort of dog whistle. Our young one would likely stay outside all night if she could. We have to beg, cajole and bribe her to come in. I have found cicadas clinging to the wall near the porch light. I pluck one off, it makes its noise and the pup come running to see what the commotion is, then I can grab her by the collar and put the bug back until the next night.
Whoa, Les, is that a tall tale you’re spinning? If not, that’s the funniest dog whistle I’ve ever heard of! —Pam
The wing membranes must be incredibly thin. You can’t even see them. Great shot.
What a picture and a picture with words. Yee haw indeed. I hate scaring up one of them because they always startle me. However, what would summer be without them making noise. Oh yeah, quiet. 🙂
GREAT photo!
Great photo! When I was young, I used to collect cicada shells. I can’t remember why. Just a kid thing, I suppose. They are fascinating insects.
Pam since you laughed at my unofficial naming of you as the Queen of Garden Bloggers, would you consider the title Queen of the Texas Garden Bloggers or, at least, Queen of the Austin Garden Bloggers? You deserve some official title.
You are too funny, Bluestem. No tiara for me, thanks. I don’t look good in them. Besides, just as every man is king of his own castle, so each of us is queen (or king) of our own blog. It’s wonderfully democratic that way. 😉 —Pam
We used to bungee cord our trash against the raccoons, but they still got into the cans. Now we have bigger containers that latch pretty tightly and they only get in about once a month. The big black Rubbermaid cans. Though it might not be the cans, it might be that the construction in our area is over and they’ve gone back to their old homes.
Darn raccoons. We can’t switch out our bins because the city provides a certain kind for their automated garbage trucks. Anyway, so far so good with our bungee cords. —Pam
Great photo – I find cicadas fascinating.
Great photo. Your own personal wild west show.
So, ok…do you take your camera with you, even to take out the trash? That’s dedication!
Isn’t your camera attached to your hip at all times, Linda? I thought that’s how all garden bloggers operated. 😉 —Pam
What a great photo! Scary looking bug, I wouldn’t want that flying at my head!
What a great photo! I second Linda’s comment, that’s dedication to take your camera with you when you take out the trash! lol!