All the Buzz - Cicada Cacophony

Chicagoland has been a buzz this Spring. The community’s response to the cicadas is as polarizing as many other public opinions.

I confess, I like insects and have been bit by the cicada craze myself.
Yes, I'm aware these creatures don't bite :)

Let’s look at this from a different perspective.
They emerge from the darkness, aerating the soil. They crack open and leave their shells completely intact to be admired, revealing plump, orange-eyed, strong-winged benevolent giants that are both alarming and fascinating. They create a buzzing cacophony, frolic, fornicate, and feast. They lay eggs, then burrow back underground for another 13 or 17 years.

What's not to love or understand?

Well, no matter your stance on the cicadas, you should check out Yellowbird Books in Aurora. Karen and her crew have curated a Cicada Symphony Art Exhibit including local artist works (including a few of mine) and a summer book selection that is sure to get one thinking.

I have to admit, I don’t have many cicadas at my house, so I ride my bike to experience them, then head home to my garden which is modestly visited by many different kinds of insects. I think the mass influx of new prey has made birds and other insects more plentiful.  So, I’m enjoying the recent invasion.

Beside the indendent bookstore. I’m waiting on some insect sticker sheets and a new frisky cicada individuals to accompany my butterfly and dragonfly for the StickerSnobsshow at McCartyMills, Aurora.

What about you? Are you celebrating this invasion or dreading walking out your door?