Cicada Study Image 2

@MadScientist: Don't think I've actually seen one after it emerged. I've certainly never managed to get a photo of one, though at the moment, they're not active.

@Linerberry: There are 2500 species of Cicada. I don't know about NZ, but there are 220 different species in Australia, so you probably have a few different kinds as well. This image is of the skin they leave behind. I've never actually managed to capture a mature adult after shedding the skin. I have no of the color of the fellow who left this behind.

@k@: I bet you have some but they're probably not so obvious in the city. I heard them chirping for 40 years before I ever took note of what they looked like. However, this isn't really what a mature adult looks like either --this is just the shell left behind. Mature Cicada images can be seen here. But the short description of this critter is:

Cicadas live underground as nymphs for most of their lives, at depths ranging from about 30 cm (1 ft) up to 2.5 m (about 8½ ft). The nymphs feed on root juice and have strong front legs for digging.

In the final nymphal instar, they construct an exit tunnel to the surface and emerge. They then molt (shed their skins), on a nearby plant for the last time and emerge as adults. The abandoned skins remain, still clinging to the bark of trees.

This image is of the abandoned skin.

@dang: Thanks. I tried some other stuff but I didn't have my flash with me and sharpness suffered. This guy was in direct sunlight. Your last photo was on December 16th. What's up?

@Ana Lúcia: Thank you, and thanks for looking.

@Veronelle: Merci.

@Ronnie 2¢: Even at f16 there was a very limited DOF. Thinking about it now, I had enough light I could probably have cranked down another stop or two.

@dj.tigersprout: I think so too, but my tendency is to try to represent a "natural" subject like this in its actual colors --or close to it-- at least on the first pass. But maybe I should revisit these shots in b&w.

@Amir: But that would mean using a tripod, or having a steadier hand than I do. I might try it though when I'm using a tripod --which is rare.

@Damon Schreiber: They're "slow" enough for me to actually get the shot.

@dang: I'd say the bug population is down, but I was looking for shots yesterday and there were plenty of what we call "love bugs" around in our very spring-like weather. They may be getting fooled by Mother Nature.