Opera Singer with Fuzzy, White Underside by Chipka
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Description
There are actually two major species of cicada in Illinois, and thus, in Chicago. We have annual or “dogday” cicadas; they emerge yearly and fill the air with their distinctive, operatic stridulations in late summer and very early autumn. We also have periodic cicadas who emerge from their tunnels every 13 or 17 years; it takes them a lot longer to get dressed.
In terms of periodic cicadas, there is some significance to the fact that both 13 and 17 are prime numbers, and there are all sorts of odd, mathematical equations that illuminate some aspect of cicada existence, while concurrently failing to explain why such creatures emerge, en-mass in so meticulously synchronized a way. I’m far more familiar with the annual cicadas, the “dogday” cicadas that are the mascots of summer. Their endless, epic buzzing songs evoke memories of hot, lazy days. Despite their incredible volume, cicada songs are immensely relaxing. They’re a kind of white noise, perfect for obliterating the more crass and disturbing sounds of any Midwestern city.
I found this particular cicada as I meandered in search for a barber shop. I was rather pleased that I was able to get so close and nab so detailed a shot: cicadas seem to prefer treetops to the lower branches. He was moving rather quickly—by cicada standards—upward, and was positioned rather far from decent camera range. With a bit of finagling, I was able to coax him onto a lower branch…gently grabbing a cicada works perfectly in terms of posing the almost-cooperative model. I didn’t realize that this one had such a downy-soft white belly, until I took this shot. I didn’t realize he was male, until I gave a very, very gentle squeeze and was rewarded with a rattling fragment of a cicada song for my efforts. I believe the stridulating operatic fragment of the song I heard was “Phrase # 10,881” of the Grand Cicadian Opera, first performed by Fth’ta’aa, the Babylonian, back in 8-Million BCE, on a Tuesday. Why he is recognized as “the Babylonian” is beyond me, since there was no Babylon back in 8-Million BCE…or was there? Was Babylon originally a Cicada city? One may never know, as cicadas are not in the habit of actually explaining anything to you. They have more pressing matters. I do know, however, that cicadas have been adding to Fth’ta’aa’s magnum opus for centuries now, and it’s quite extravagantly complex, and performed only once per year.
As I write this, I’m sitting at Corey’s place, listening to a charming tree-top quartet; they’re rather exuberant, and in competition with a few other insectoid performance artists of a more cricket-ish breed. They are in the midst of a deliciously complicated performance: it’s almost polyphonic, in a rattling-insect sort of way. I believe it’s one of those new free interpretations of the Fth’ta’aa original. It’s rather exciting. So avant-garde.
As always, thank you for viewing, and reading, and commenting, and I hope you’re all having a great weekend.
Comments (34)
blinkings
Wonderful. Do they appear on prime numbers to avoid predation patterns forming.
kgb224
Stunning capture my friend. God Bless.
Sepiasiren
As Chipka pro'll already knows, I ain't one for bug pics (shivers) but this, alongside its narrative, is compelling--love the colors and the critter here is just beautiful--You almost always pull me near unwilling into your world of creepy crawlies! Love it
MadameX
Love this shot! I had a semi-argument recently with one of my sisters about cicadas. She, for some reason I cannot fathom, thinks they are called katydids! I know what a katydid looks like and when she described them as the insects that come out only so often and make their sounds, I told her those were cicadas. Being who she is, she tried to argue that they were katydids. Back and forth we went, with me saying No, they aren't, and she insisting they are. Can't recall whether or not I convinced her, but knowing her, she likely still thinks she's right. Anyway, this is a great shot! Thanks for posting!
mps
Wonderful image, great story
netot
I did not know that these individuals also lived in Chicago. Well, that give reason to the seagull in the film "An American Tail" when he said "Everyone has a cousin in America." Here in my country they appear between March and April, but here they sing "Macarena" and "Living the la vida loca" Lol. Excellent photography!
jocko500
wow never saw one of these or hear about them. lol that a long time to be in hideing
mgtcs
This is a spectacular story Chip, you alwyas amaze me, the photo is fantastic and I never seen one of those up so close! Congratulations!
Richardphotos
they cause so much damage to crops every year.I ran into a swarm once in Okla. while driving 50 or 60.they covered the windshield and I stopped to wash them off with lots of effort.superb shot
Nathan_Ruby
very cool shot and words my friend! love the work, keep it up!
dreampaint
wow great shot, composotion and colors are very good too, really good work.
whaleman
Hilarious opera without the soap! And a great shot of an insect that I may never get to see!
durleybeachbum
Very funny commentary and a SUPERB pic! Marvellous!
RodS
What a beautiful, clear, sharp photo of this cicada! I used to love catching these guys when I was a kid - used to drive my poor mom nuts when I'd come running into the house with one of these held firmly between my thumb and index finger, squacking loudly. Ah, the memories!
helanker
WOW! I expected to se either a rooster or a peacock and then you present this beautiful little creature. That was a surprise :-) Dont think i have ver seen such one before. Thanks for sharing this wonder of Mother Nature.
Feliciti
never seen before this little singer !! like the colortones and his wings!!great closeup too !!
snakemove
O MY GOD, THIS IS HUGE, I have never seen such insect before, just cool !! Thanks for your comment on the Phone Booth, it was taken in Spain, I live in Holland and we have them rarely as well, just a few
BessieB
I have only ever heard them whilst on holiday but never seen one, thanks for sharing and love the commentary.
fallen21
Awesome shot.
bmac62
I used to have a tree in my backyard that these little critters sang from every year. The only bad part was when their empty shell bodies would fall to the ground and my dog would think they were some kind of delicacy worthy of a good crunch or two...which is a little rough on the intestinal tract you know:) Excellent image of this singing critter. So, you had to wrestle with him a little to get him to pose for you then...end result is most colorful and detailed! Well done.
MrsRatbag
How intriguing these are! The first time I found evidence of one was when gardening in Virginia years ago. I found the exoskeleton of one attached to a branch of something I pruned, and it was very prehistoric-looking. It's wonderful to see a live specimen, and I'm not at all surprised to hear that you were handling and posing this guy. Excellent shot!
Orinoor
Excellent shot you managed! I sat last light and listened to our lone cricket, it was hot, so he had a very quick tempo. I've never met a cicada, fascinating creatures.
Crabbycabby
Fascinating looking creature.
auntietk
We don't have them here. I looked at your photograph, with that huge body with wings, looking for all the world like a mutant flying shrimp, and thought, "WTF is that???" I've never seen one. Then I wondered about cidadas v. katydids, because MadameX had that argument, and discovered they are, indeed, totally different things. MadameX's sister is incorrect. I've never heard them, either. The times I've been in cicada country it's been Spring and Fall, and they haven't been singing. sigh Something I've yet to experience. Maybe it will still be warm enough as we travel back there in the coming weeks. I'd love to hear parts of their opera!
flavia49
excellent capture
sandra46
awesome image!
icerian
Very unusual opera-singer :-) Great photo.
praep
I wish we got some of them here. They are alien like and very interesting. Very nice shot.
myrrhluz
When I think of cicadas, I think of hot summer days and their song suddenly erupting from the tree tops. I've rarely actually seen them, but their song is a frequent companion when visiting my mom. It's funny how sometimes you don't consciously hear them but hear the silence when they cease singing. Wonderful image and narrative. I love your identification of the fragment of song you heard. Beautiful detail and color! That's an interesting tree he's on. It has freckles.
-seek-
great photo.. i used to catch cicadas when i was little.. very neat!