Here in North Texas and Oklahoma we have a soundtrack to our summertime."After mating, the female cuts slits into the bark of a twig, and into these she deposits her eggs. She may do so repeatedly, until she has laid several hundred eggs. When the eggs hatch, the newborn nymphs drop to the ground, where they burrow. Most cicadas go through a life cycle that lasts from two to five years. . . .Cicadas live underground as nymphs for most of their lives, at depths ranging from about 30 cm (1 ft) up to 2.5 m (about 8½ ft). The nymphs feed on root juice and have strong front legs for digging.
In the final nymphal instar, they construct an exit tunnel to the surface and emerge. They then molt (shed their skins), on a nearby plant for the last time and emerge as adults. The abandoned skins remain, still clinging to the bark of trees."(Wikipedia entry- edited by me for applicability to my topic - if you want to read the whole thing and to avoid giving an illusion I'm some kind of plagiarizing bug writer - here is the Wiki link) .
The cicadas are mature now - the one I found this morning has most likely mated and laid it's eggs. Now as part of the natural cycle - it will be eaten. ( Important note: it will be eaten by birds or other insects not by the food loving people of Buhlaland!)I am sure I could find dozens of appropriate scripture and try to drag out a spiritual lesson - but this blog post is about loving the creation - and not having to hype the Creator. The heavens declare His Glory .
It is noisy during August on Buhlaland and that is very good. Last day of August and the chorus at night is already dying down. Hope your summer brought blessings, growth and rest.
8 comments:
West Texas hot and windy summers are soothed by the sound of the "locust". I love to hear them and have noticed as September is quickly approaching, their songs are dwindling.
God is great - - - All the Time!
Good information. They are noisy late summer critters!
This morning as I milked the girls I noticed the quiet. I attributed part of it to the cool temp, 54 degrees. It makes the goats want to come alive and mate, and makes the insects hide and play dormant.
We got 'em all around. It's the only sound we hear besides the occasional frogs here on our little Sand Flat Farm. I love cicadas - it means 'summer'. The drone can almost put me to sleep. Wish I had an attic fan like when I was little. Open up those windows and hear the chirrrrrr-ing of the cicadas and feelin' that wind blowing through the curtains. Now THAT's some kinda sleepin'!
We get cicadas here too, and I always marvel at them and their life cycle. Good to hear you're not hungry enough to eat the cicadas , and the birds there in Buhl-a-land should be grateful!
I love cicadas, and think they are a special kind of beautiful. Summer just wouldn't be summer without them...
Ugh... they are so loud!! But like everyone else's comments, that's just another wonderful end-of-summer sound!
I just discovered your blog, and just had to comment on the cicadas. When I was growing up in Western Kentucky, my grandmother could tell you the first frost date by the date they began to sing. I live in Michigan now and we also have them. I think of her when I first hear them and she is pretty much right. Very best wishes to you, I appreciate being able to read blogs.
Thanks for posting the sound bites. I've only heard cicadas at my daughter's in Maryland. Here in CA we are quiet...:)
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