Rhythm of the Cicada
Do you have any idea how difficult it is to photograph a cicada? I’ve been chasing these noisy insects around for weeks, and to no avail. How quickly I felt outsmarted! Each time I’d approach a bush or tree – abuzz with the distinctive cicada cacophony – I’d get very close, scanning and scanning, yet seeing nothing.
One of thousands of cicadas along the San Pedro riverbed in southern Arizona. Click photo to enlarge.
They’d toy with me. A sharp “buzz,” then silence. Another “buzz,” then silence. One even flew into my ear when I was on the four-wheeler, heading to my “Cicada Rendezvous” by the river. Talk about taunting (and did I mention, Ouch? They’re pretty darn big when they bounce off an ear hole!). And one day, during a jog, one of them let off this offensive screeching noise low to the ground as I ran by. Let’s just say that it startled me so much, I did an in-the-air-cartoon dust cloud. I think I was levitating.
So, yes … I wanted to photograph these elusive, ornery bugs. My fascination was also influenced by the fact that I appreciate their ‘wit.’ Plus, it’s pretty impressive that they can live underground for most of the year, feeding on roots – only to emerge from holes in May or June in droves, filling the desert days and nights with song. The first trill of a cicada – to me, at least – means that Arizona’s overbearing summer heat has arrived. And the trees that get a natural pruning each year, as a result, seem none the worse for wear (the females cut slits into branches to deposit eggs; then the branches fall off – at the outer tips of a limb – the eggs falling to the ground. Repeat the cycle.).
So while I jest about the cicada’s elusive qualities and wit, the reality is that when the end of August nears and the cicadas crawl back into the ground, the desert will be a bit less noisy. And, admittedly, I’ll miss those ornery insects.
Listen to the sounds of Arizona’s cicadas on the video below, then, writers, scroll for tips.
For Writers:
How would you describe what you hear in the above video? Is the sound reminiscent of the rattle of a rattlesnake? The vigorous shaking of maracas? My description: the sound was so intense, so nearly deafening, that when I spoke, I was sure I was slurring my speech. It felt like my S’es were coming out all wrong, blended in so perfectly with the hiss of the cicadas that even I couldn’t tell if I’d spoken them … Really, it was that loud. The audio doesn’t really do the scenario justice, unfortunately. But use your imagination!
July 1st, 2010 at 8:27 am
Come to Cincinnati during the 17-year cicada exodus…they cover every single surface. You won’t have a problem getting a picture; the problem is keeping them out of your hair. I still shudder when I hear a cicada call; I used to think it was soothing.
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Melissa Reply:
July 1st, 2010 at 9:06 am
We had a similar grasshopper exodus in Phoenix years ago. Couldn’t drive without crunching them under your tires. Yuck! But, yes, I can see how your perspective would be much different than mine!
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July 1st, 2010 at 9:05 am
hey I know where you took this picture!!
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Melissa Reply:
July 1st, 2010 at 9:07 am
Tsk. Tsk. But no one else does :-). It’s our secret! Went back the next night, after you introduced us to the area.
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July 1st, 2010 at 1:48 pm
The description made it imaginable for me. My Sony VAIO didn’t seem to pick up the sound much, even on full volume.. I tried headphones and the sound was still at too low a volume for me. You description worked for me. My mind conjured up a sound that fit your description. I have been to AZ a few times but never heard the Cicada. Next time I will make it a point
Thanks for the tip!
Geoff
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Melissa Crytzer Fry Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 6:45 am
Sorry you couldn’t hear them. But glad my description helped you hear them in your mind!
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July 1st, 2010 at 6:11 pm
I’m not a fan of cicadas after being dive-bombed by them. I think I’d describe the sound as an extremely high decible white noise coming from the radio or the sound of a thousand very high-frequency power lines. Great picture!
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Melissa Crytzer Fry Reply:
July 2nd, 2010 at 6:44 am
Okay, Okay. So not everyone appreciates them like I do. Dive-bombing, yes, might change my mind. Yes, white noise is a great way to describe them – at a very high frequency. Agreed!
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July 3rd, 2010 at 5:49 pm
Reminds me of the summers of my childhood in Phoenix. Endless days of wandering from swimming pool to swimming pool, with fresh grilled burgers nearly every night. That sound was a constant and meant no school, no work, all fun. We used to collect their shedded skins and stick them on each other.
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Melissa Reply:
July 4th, 2010 at 9:21 am
Mike,
Thanks for sharing your childhood memories – and for thinking fondly of cicadas! I first discovered their exoskeletons stuck to the base of a tree when we lived in Phoenix. They’re fascinating to look at: hollow replicas of the real thing!
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July 9th, 2010 at 10:06 am
This blog is fascinating Melissa! I am opening my eyes wide instead of the sleepy vision I usually have. Your photo, writing, questioning skills are apparent. Keep it up. This is my favorite nature/thinking site!
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Melissa Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 10:42 am
Thanks, K. Glad you’re enjoying!
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