Cicada Emergence
The periodic emergence of "Brood II" cicadas takes place every 17 years across several East Coast states.
I vividly recall the emergence (of "Brood X") back in '87 and '04 - but I hadn't seen any yet, this time.
So I went out searching for them today, finding plenty about 15 miles south; the chorus of their calls was a
non-stop drone in the background, like a spaceship sound effect from a 50's sci-fi movie.
Such a fascinating bit of nature; billions (some say trillions) of these insects emerge basically at once,
ensuring their numbers overwhelm their predators' appetites. Billions of eggs are then laid a few weeks later;
the infants fall to the ground, burrow in, and wait out the next 17 years to repeat the cycle.
I opted for a very shallow DOF, so the cicada "emerges" from the background blur.
© Chris Budny
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