The dominant experience at Heinz NWR a few days ago was the roar of the annual cicadas (not to be confused with the periodical cicadas which emerged earlier this year on their 17 year cycle) ...
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| An Annual Cicada |
With the cicada making their noise from trees everywhere, we also encountered the
Cicada Killer Wasp (Sphecius speciosus) - one of the largest wasps anywhere. They were busy around the holes which they excavated, often disappearing inside. While their size makes them scary, everything I have read says that they are perfectly harmless to everything except cicada ...
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| Cicada Killer Wasp |
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| Cicada Killer Wasp |
In Vermont, this summer has been a banner year for the
Hummingbird Moth. They also seem very common at locations around Philadelphia ...
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| Hummingbird Moth |
It seems odd, but I have seen more
Praying Mantis in the shrubbery around our condo's pool than I think I have seen anywhere else ...
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| Praying Mantis |
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| Praying Mantis |
In spite of the racket they make, I am fairly fond of cicadas, especially the periodical ones. You have a great selection of very interesting (and photogenic) creatures today.
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