Outdoor Ontario

Wildlife Reports => Toronto Wildlife => Topic started by: Bluffs Birder on July 28, 2011, 02:34:07 AM

Title: Dogday Harvestfly 'Cicada' molting
Post by: Bluffs Birder on July 28, 2011, 02:34:07 AM

While sweeping up in the backyard I noticed something strange on a post near the pond.  Upon further inspection it turned out to be what I thought was a Cicada that had died while trying to emerge from it's exoskeleton...there was no movement.  I went and grabbed my camera and tripod to get a few photos.  Upon returning I thought something looked slightly different and while setting up my camera I noticed that the wings were starting to expand.  I could not believe my eyes, so creepy and yet so beautiful at the same time!  Hope you enjoy the video that I've put together...it looks extra creepy in Fullscreen!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iocel3ZliWU

Walter

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Post by: Bird Brain on July 28, 2011, 11:20:51 AM

Wow - fascinating and freaky!  Reminds me of the movie "Alien".   Great find and footage!  :D

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Post by: BoboBird on July 28, 2011, 12:22:08 PM

Fantastic catch Walter.

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Post by: Whittam on July 28, 2011, 12:45:58 PM

Very nice capture Walter!  Well done!  I've been hearing them for a few days now!  Cheers Terry

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Post by: JW Mills on July 28, 2011, 10:20:17 PM

Very nice Walter!

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Post by: Rob'in'To on July 29, 2011, 08:58:26 AM

That's awesome!  I haven't seen or heard nearly as many Cicadas as I did last summer.  I did get similar photos one day last July on the side of my deck.  I never thought to video it.  But I did video this guy chasing my camera around on the picnic table...  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPc61Mt_OGI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPc61Mt_OGI)

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Post by: Bird Brain on July 29, 2011, 12:44:20 PM

Rob ... cool.  Was he trying to fight with your camera or mate with it?   :lol:

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Post by: Moira on July 29, 2011, 06:55:23 PM

Thanks for sharing Walter - I've never seen this.  It is kind of creepy and kind of cool.

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Post by: Bluffs Birder on July 29, 2011, 10:02:15 PM

Thanks everyone.  A clear case of 'right place, right time'.  Great video Rob, man that thing was possessed!

Walter

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Post by: Brian Bailey on July 31, 2011, 10:24:08 PM

Cool video!  I found one of these exoskeletons a couple of days ago and now I know what it was!

BB

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Post by: Rob'in'To on July 31, 2011, 10:46:07 PM

I think he saw his reflection in the lens...  or just the glare got his attention to chase it around.  I felt bad for him though as no more than a couple minutes later one of the Squirrels ate him!

Last summer I saw so many Cicadas in the yard but half of them got eaten before they did that final molt.  The Squirrels ate them butt end first as that's where all the gooey juicy stuff is.  I never knew Squirrels ate insects.  I should post some of those pics.  Kinda looks like they are eating Turtles chocolates with all that stringy caramel inside that doesn't break as you bite into it.

Sorry for the description.  Anybody still got an appetite?   :D

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Post by: ravynne40 on August 01, 2011, 08:11:07 AM

This was incredible to watch, thanks for sharing. I have never seen a cicada before I joined this list...not sure I want to ...I might freak out lmao!
I agree with the "alien" comparisons.