Cicada Safari

[Atravelynn]

Enchanting setting for this cicada, giving it more of a fairy-like aura than an ominous plague vibe

 

 

No malaria pills, no binoculars, no plane tickets are needed for a cicada safari in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.  I did bring my safari-tested Tilley hat, which became the subject of The Quote of the Trip, shared later in the report.

 

 

 

Brood XIII, which emerges every 17 years, graced Wisconsin in the Spring of 2024. 

 

 

These are but a few of the trillion cicadas that emerged as part of Brood XIII

 

 

Brood XIII consisted of three cicada species that are not distinguishable to an observer:  Magicicada septendecim, Magicicada cassini, Magicicada septendecula

 

 

 

 

 

Safari Dates:  May 29, 2024 (6 hours) and June 2, 2024 (3.5 hours)

Safari Location:  Lake Geneva, WI, an hour southwest of Milwaukee, WI.  Next emergence of Brood XIII is 2041.  Let me know if you’d like to join me on the next Cicada Safari.  I may have to use a walker, but I’ll be up for it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The cicadas were all over the trees, the gardens, the lawns and the cemeteries of Lake Geneva.  Hardly any cicadas were on Main Street where all the good restaurants and nice shops are.  It was necessary to venture one block off the main drag for the cicada experience.

 

Collecting cicadas in the cemetery

 

 

 

Cicada in foreground, cemetery in background

 

 

 

After 17 years underground, the nymphs emerge from the ground at night and climb up trees or bushes.  They bust out of their exoskeleton to become a white, soft winged creature that does not yet fly.  It takes a day or longer to transition into an adult with a sturdy body and wings that can fly. 

This photo has each stage of the cicada cycle—the exoskeleton of a nymph, a white newly emerged cicada, and the adult cicada.

 

 

 

Left-a white cicada emerges from the nymph’s exoskeleton.  Right—The white soft body is in the process of turning hard and dark and the wings unfold to full length.

 

 

 

A nymph and an adult

 

 

The cicadas live a few weeks, during which they mate and lay eggs on branches.  When the eggs hatch, translucent larvae crawl into the ground to start the 17-year cycle all over again.

When the sun shines, they are stimulated to “sing,” which can be deafening.  No audio in this report.

 

Cicadas as members of the community

 

 

 

 Cicada engaged in retail, selling creations of the local artists—on the withers of this horse statue for sale

 

 

 

On the begonias

 

 

 

Remaining on the begonias

 

 

 

On a native species, the Columbine

 

 

 

Alighting on a rosebud

 

 

Adorning the stem of a yellow rose

 

 

On the peonies

 

 

Remaining on the peonies

 

 

 

On my friend’s hat—9 o’clock.  They had a penchant for hats.

 

 

Almost acting as sentries, covering the grand white pillars of a stately entrance

 

 

On my fingers

 

 

In no hurry to depart my fingers

 

 

Adult cicada on my Sony RX10, as the camera focuses on a nymph

 

 

They were particularly fond of hostas, but then aren’t we all?

 

 

One is hidden amongst the charming flower baskets

 

 

Here’s help in finding the hidden cicada

To be continued

 

 

Edited September 28 by Atravelynn

[AndrewB]

How fascinating, thanks for posting  @Atravelynn

[JPS]

I gues you are enjoying the nice sounds

[Atravelynn]

Individually, the cicadas are quite charismatic, especially on pretty flowers. But it is in a group (collective noun is cloud, chorus, invasion, brood, or plague) that they are most imposing, to the point of being called creepy by some who viewed my photos.

 

Many cicadas (cloud, chorus, invasion, brood, or plague)

 

 

Many cicadas (cloud, chorus, invasion, brood, or plague)

 

 

Quite a few cicadas (almost a cloud, chorus, invasion, brood, or plague)

 

 

Single cicada enmeshed in white floral, bringing to mind a bridal bouquet

 

 

 

Pretty in pink

 

 

 

Even prettier in pink

 

 

Study in yellow

 

 

Approaching a “chorus” in numbers and therefore approaching creepy, according to some who viewed my pictures.

 

 

 

One member of the “cloud” surrounded by clouds

 

 

Two’s company

 

 

 

Three’s a…cloud?

 

 

 

Cicada Spiral

 

 

 

Looks like a chorus to me

 

 

Photographing cicadas can work up an appetite, so I went to Cold Stone Creamery for a little sustenance.  First, I requested a sample of one of the weird flavors.  As I put the little wooden tasting spoon in my mouth the employee behind the counter stated, “There is a cicada on your hat” to which I replied, “Oh good, I’m on a cicada safari.”  That’s the Quote of the Trip. For hygiene purposes I promptly took my Tilley outside and gave it a shake to send the cicada flying down Main Street. Then I went back in for my mocha fudge in a dish.   Two scoops, I won’t lie.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Newly emerged cicada still white and soft

 

 

 

I tried to get some CIF shots—Cicadas In Flight, a very difficult task.

 

Cicada in Flight

 

 

Cicada in Flight

 

 

Just landed, wings out

 

 

Wings open, ready to fly

 

 

I went safari-ing on both a weekday alone, and on a Sunday with a friend. The cicadas did not draw a crowd on either visit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 3 adults and a nymph

 

 

I went May 29 and June 2, right after Memorial Day when  people fly their flags.  This patriotic backdrop added an element of Americana to the whole Brood XIII event.  Throw in some white picket fences and it’s Norman Rockwell Cicadas!

 

Pair of cicadas on white picket fence

 

 

Not one but two flags and a picket fence, just after Memorial Day.

 

 

 

Flag, hanging basket of Geraniums, picket fence in the foreground and around the porch in the background.  Cicada Americana!

 

 

This final cicada closeup was taken with an Olympus TG6, using the macro setting.  It did a nice job I think.

 

Taken with Olympus TG6 using the macro feature.  Along with its toughness (that’s what the T stands for), the camera is noted for its impressive macro feature for a small P & S camera.

 

 

The Olympus TG6 is waterproof down to 50 feet, drop-proof from nearly 7 feet, and can withstand freezing temps down to 14º F. I bought this camera for activities where such rough and tumble extremes would likely occur, but they did not.

 

Our warm winter, rarely hitting 14 º F meant insufficient snow for some planned dog sledding activities, where a camera could get banged around in freezing temps.  I wanted the waterproof feature for splashing waves while Gray Whale watching in Baja, Mexico, but fortunately we stayed dry in the boat for the most part.  It certainly was not a Drench Fest, as the next trip report will show!

The End (for another 17 years)

 

 

 

Edited September 29 by Atravelynn

[offshorebirder]

Nice Cicada photos - especially the flight shots @Atravelynn.

[Geoff]

@AtravelynnI agree with Nate. Some nice pics, especially the flight images. 

[TonyQ]

A fascinating report @Atravelynn

[Pangolin]

 nice expose` of Cicadian rhythms.

[Whyone?]

Wonderful - thank you for your words and great pictures @Atravelynn

 

Also pleased to hear you have a trusty Tilley hat.  My wife invested in one on our recent trip to Canada - hopefully it'll visit the African bush before too long!

[michael-ibk]

Fascinating Lynn, very cool. You got really creative with many of these photos.