Dogday Harvestfly 'Cicada' molting
Outdoor Ontario

Dogday Harvestfly 'Cicada' molting

Bluffs Birder · 12 · 2293
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Bluffs Birder

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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
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Bluffs Birder »

Bird Brain

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Reply #1 on: July 28, 2011, 11:20:51 AM
Wow - fascinating and freaky!  Reminds me of the movie "Alien".   Great find and footage!  :D
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Bird Brain »
Jo-Anne :)

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BoboBird

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Reply #2 on: July 28, 2011, 12:22:08 PM
Fantastic catch Walter.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by BoboBird »

Whittam

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Reply #3 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
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Whittam »

JW Mills

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Reply #4 on: July 28, 2011, 10:20:17 PM
Very nice Walter!
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by JW Mills »
Open Channel D

Rob'in'To

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Reply #5 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
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Rob'in'To »
A birth certificate shows we were born.  A death certificate shows we died.  Pictures show we live.

Bird Brain

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Reply #6 on: July 29, 2011, 12:44:20 PM
Rob ... cool.  Was he trying to fight with your camera or mate with it?   :lol:
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Bird Brain »
Jo-Anne :)

"If what you see by the eye doesn't please you, then close your eyes and see from the heart".

Moira

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Reply #7 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.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Moira »

Bluffs Birder

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Reply #8 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
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Bluffs Birder »

Brian Bailey

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Reply #9 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
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Brian Bailey »
Brian Bailey
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Rob'in'To

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Reply #10 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
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Rob'in'To »
A birth certificate shows we were born.  A death certificate shows we died.  Pictures show we live.

ravynne40

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Reply #11 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.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by ravynne40 »
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