Mr Ugly Gets a New Suit !

It's cicada season again, and after a long spell living underground the nymphs emerge in July to shed their winter overalls and put on some new spiffy duds!

Being dirt dwellers for several years, they are not known for their good looks, but once they emerge and find a nice spot, their vanity kicks in so they can impress the opposite sex.

By splitting a seam on their back, the new adult cicada emerges with delicate translucent wings. After they harden in the summer heat, they fly off into the tree tops to sing songs in a pitch that would make Geddy Lee green with envy! By September it's quiet again, as the eggs are laid, the adults die off, and the nymphs dig underground for the big sleep. So is life!

My summer has been busy helping a friend start up a business. Good thing, as this is not a good year for camping. Canadians are preferring staycations this year which means every spot that holds a tent or RV is taken. A long heat wave right across the country, forest fires, smokey air and fire bans has made it even worse. Some places are closed to camping. Out here in the Maritimes, even walking in the woods has been banned! All of a sudden living underground doesn't sound that bad!

I will have more free time in the fall, so hope to post some more videos then. In the meantime, I continue to be an observer of nature, and am still filming its beauty for future release. Please stay tuned, and keep cool!