Renee Schaefer
June 2021 - Cicada
About the Image(s)
If any of you are wondering what all the noise is coming from the Mid-Atlantic states, here it is...Brood X. They are one of those wonders of nature. They emerge from the ground every 17 years just to mate. The numbers are in the millions and they are extremely noisy. Unlike the annual cicadas they do not hide. You cannot go outside without getting at least one in your hair. With their red eyes and translucent wings, they are so ugly that they are cute. They'll be around for another few weeks and then goodbye for another 17 years. Maryland seems to be their hub this time around.
This round’s discussion is now closed!
7 comments posted
Oh, so loud and invasive in my area dispersed intermittently depending on land development in the past 17 years. Lucky for me, I live in one of those new developments and I've only seen two. Lucky me, I know!
This photo is a more pleasing one than others I have seen. Your post processing which I like reduced the redness of his eyes. I would flip it so that the line of his wings go from lower left to upper right with his red eyes at the magic upper third interaction.
The clarity of this shot reflects the structural aspects of cicadas. I also like the depth of field you used.
Posted: 06/09/2021 10:02:14
This photo is a more pleasing one than others I have seen. Your post processing which I like reduced the redness of his eyes. I would flip it so that the line of his wings go from lower left to upper right with his red eyes at the magic upper third interaction.
The clarity of this shot reflects the structural aspects of cicadas. I also like the depth of field you used.
Posted: 06/09/2021 10:02:14
Wow. I live in the Pacific NW and have never seen one of these. They are quite majestic, I like the patterns on the wings. Great shot. It is interesting how people can be biased due to their experiences with creatures. I gather these are annoying and destructive. Posted: 06/10/2021 08:40:30
They are very noisy, but not destructive at all. They don't bite or sting and the only thing they eat is some sap from the trees, but do not bore into the trees at all. This phenomenon occurs every 17 years and is interesting to say the least. They are here to mate and that is all. Each female lays about 600 eggs that stay dormant for the next 17 years. Posted: 06/13/2021 14:39:14
I am glad we don't get plagues of insects like this here in the UK. well done in having a good depth of field which has made the whole insect and most of the leaves sharp. As often happens with insect wings they pick up a lot of light and create quite a lot of hot spots, I would be inclined to try to tone them down slightly. I would probably try to tone down the very bright green of some of the leaves. Posted: 06/13/2021 01:38:07
Well done, the bug is sharp and the photo has nice depth of field. Looks like it might be the one insect that we do not see here in Florida! Would have been cool to see the wings spread and the transparency. Posted: 06/14/2021 16:22:48
Technically well done with a sharp subject and a diffused background. Also a nice color contrast between the leaves and the subject.
I hate bugs of any kind, but, as a photograph, this is well done. Posted: 06/15/2021 10:45:53
I hate bugs of any kind, but, as a photograph, this is well done. Posted: 06/15/2021 10:45:53
We have lots of cicadas in Oz. Very interesting if a little noisy. Composition on the leaf stem is good. Blurred background is great. The focus probably needed to be more on the head and eyes. Posted: 06/23/2021 05:03:40