I took this photograph today. My original intention had been to snap a few captures of creepy-crawlies, but, unfortunately, most of them were locked in strollers pushed at a brisk pace by their parents, and so I contented myself with adult creatures of the non-creepy variety. Chicago has been rather moist, and so the city’s resident crustaceans (and their compatriots) are out in full force. As they’re exothermic creatures, Chicago’s warmth endows them with the ability to move quickly. For once, I can say that the city is a wee bit too warm and too humid for adequate crustacean photography, but since I’m well aware of various crustacean photographic techniques, the city’s warmth presents only a minor challenge. I do have a few woodlouse-shaped blurs: evidence of one speedy getaway or another. These are woodlice (and millipedes) near the North Branch of the Chicago River; the bug-hunting birds in the area are largely unaware of them, but as I noticed the scent of millipedes before seeing them, I knew that they were very much aware of the birds and were announcing their foul, acrid, tongue-stinging taste. Millipedes exude a toxin that smells (to a human) like wood-infused urine extract, though there’s a sweetness to the scent that recalls garden loam more than renal output. As a child, I learned that the defensive perfume of millipedes is a rather relaxing scent, unless you’re one who looks upon millipedes as a dietary requirement. I don’t. They’re too cute to eat. These are the residents of (or diners on) a piece of fallen tree, near a bank of the Chicago River. There were earwigs in the area (teenage earwigs) and they weren’t in the mood to pose for photos. They were busy. They had places to be. But I didn’t care. I captured woodlice. I captured millipedes, and of the specimens on display in this photo, I must say that North Side crustaceans are robust and healthy. Such a good thing! As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting, and I hope you’re all having a great week. I also hope that I can catch up on commenting this week. But in the meantime, here are a bunch of Chicago’s most interesting residents.