Brood X

Ok so I didn't get a picture of today's challenge subject, which was "dinner." But I did get a few really great pictures of a cicada! I was out with my son and his friends from next door and we were on cicada hunts and exploring the Brood X craziness. This cicada actually was not alive, but its wings were out full span just like this, and it was SO cool looking. I've seen them flying and crawling and fluttering but I've never seen a cicada with its wings expanded like this. They feel like a very thin plastic, and we were all surprised how much the wings resemble the layout of butterfly wings. Once I realized it was fully intact with its wings just out for us to admire, I had to grab my camera.

The colors and textures of this insect make it very photogenic. The bulging red eyes against its jet black body being flanked by bright orange and clear wings made for a rather stunning subject. I think everyone thought I was a tad crazy for spending so much time having a photo shoot with this giant bug, but I couldn't help myself. It helped that the kids were also so into it. They had a net and would try and catch ones that they couldn't catch with their hands. My son was laying on the grass letting a couple crawl up his arm, laughing hysterically as their legs tickled his skin. They were having so much fun! From an educational standpoint, this is such a great opportunity to teach about ecology and the difference it makes when these bugs are reintroduced to the ecosystem, even if it's just for a brief period of time. It's also an amazing chance to teach them to not fear bugs if they don't have to - bugs can be really cool! The kids all took turns taking visual advantage of this particular cicada that was unknowingly modeling for all of us to see, and a few of them wanted to hold it, so I snapped a pic when it was my son's turn. We might shadow box it!

He is fearless and I love it. I was not as brave as him when I was young. I got stung in the neck by a bee when I was a toddler, and the result of that event was me being terrified of bugs basically my whole life, that is up until I had a boy. Having an active boy who loves being outdoors sort of forces you to get desensitized to the whole not-liking-bugs issue. Now, thankfully, I don't really mind them, and it's worked out because I've been able to enjoy Brood X with him and his friends. It gives us something fun to do every time we're outside, and I feel really lucky that I have a young child during this cicada wave. Since this particular one only happens once every 17 years, my son will be 21 and likely won't care when the next wave comes! He has made this cicada experience really enjoyable. I am already looking forward to the next one for photography and nostalgia purposes!