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Buggin’ out
Photo of the Day for July 23, 2010
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I swear to god, I took that photo.
Let’s just say I was in the right place at the right time … where “place” is my back steps, the railing along which this cicada bug chose to perch and molt, and “time” being around 10 p.m. last night, when I was putting the trash barrels by the curb.
Actually, at 10 p.m., this is what I saw:
An hour later, just before going to bed, I decided to go back and check on this dude, and discovered that he had unfurled his wings … which I thought made for a pretty kick-ass before-and-after comparison.
The best part? My fear that he was going to leap off the rail and latch himself onto my face like that thing in “Alien” never came true. Phew.
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Filed under New Photo of the Day | Permalink | 32 Comments
We used to find cicada shells like this all over the trees around my grandparents’ house when I was a kid. And whenever I found one, I used to pluck it off the tree trunk and hang it on my nose to freak out my mother – their hooked little feet are just right for attaching to your face. True story.
abi´s most recent blog post: Adipose Rex
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LOL. I would’ve been right with you. Wanting the cool picture, but fearing the bug attack. Heck, I don’t even like it when flying bugs bump into me by chance.
Those pictures are VERY cool!
ToadMama´s most recent blog post: Censorship in America
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DOOOOOOOOOODE! That is am AMAZING photo!
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Totally awesome picture! Its cool that you notice these photo ops.
I heard that if you “help” them or touch them at all during molting they get all deformed and don’t come out right.
Weird factoid, unchecked and unverified – but helpful in a completely useless way.
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Dude. It’s like they’re totally doing it. Bug porn!
(I agree with others — a great shot, porn aside.)
Didactic Pirate´s most recent blog post: Suit Up- Geeks Its time for Comic-Con
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Wow! Just Wow! Great shot.
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When we lived in North Carolina, my son used to collect their shells and line them up on his dresser. I think he did it just to give me the heebie jeebies. Now that we are in Alaska he has started collecting humming bird sized dead dragon flies. Slightly less icky, but I still prefer they be inside some sort of glass case at a science museum.
Great photo!
Beth @ Moose In My Yard´s most recent blog post: Flashback Friday- er Wednesday
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Wow, those are great shots! I never knew how pretty cicada wings were… love the green-to-blue coloring, and so delicate. In all my years growing up in central Texas, I somehow have never witnessed one hatching out of it’s old husk. Thanks for capturing the moment!
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Awesome shots!!! Love those wings.
Deanna´s most recent blog post: You Capture – B&W
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OH! MY! WORD!!! Never see anything like that in Alaska. No cicadas up here. Fantastic photos, DS.
Gullible´s most recent blog post: Im a lone cowhand from the Riouh- Moose Pass
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First blog comment ever – you’re honored I’m sure. I love following you here and on Twitter. I believe I found you via Dooce a year ago, and I notice that you always comment on that site. I don’t read all the comments, but I always notice yours. They’re funny and relevant. HOWEVER, your habit of always linking back to your site, while sometimes appropriate, is a bit irksome. People see through it. Your avator and comment alone are enough of “you” that interested people will naturally follow back through to Daddy Scratches. You don’t need to try so hard. Just a thought!
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Daddy Scratches Reply:
July 23rd, 2010 at 4:07 pm
First, thanks for the compliments. I appreciate it.
Second: “You don’t need to try so hard.” Oh, but I do. I really, really do. It is incredibly difficult to reach new readers. Heather used to sell text ads, and I spent several hundred dollars advertising my blog via that method, but she no longer offers that option. The links I place in my comments on her site are my single biggest source of traffic and new readers (and, for the record, this week marks the first time in months that I’ve commented there and linked back to my site).
I understand what you’re saying, and I hear that it irks you … but I don’t know that everyone feels about it the same way that you do.
Having said all of that, my overly self-conscious and neurotic nature makes it impossible for me to disregard your complaint — despite the fact that, of the hundreds and hundreds of readers who came here today from Heather’s site, you are the only one who has lodged such a complaint — which is why I’ve now removed from my comment of earlier today the link back to my site.
Thanks for reading my blog and Twitter feed, and thank you for the constructive criticism. Really.
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WB Reply:
July 24th, 2010 at 10:48 am
I found your blog from a link in a PW post a while back. I’m glad you put in the links. When I find a blog that I like, sometimes I just read through comments and click on links for anyone that seems interesting. Now, if someone is commenting on a high traffic blog just to be driving traffic, that’s one thing. Like if it said ‘me too visit my blog visit my blog visit my blog visit my blog’. But your comment on PW must have been interesting enough that I followed the link in the first place. So, my point of view is that you should keep the links in your comments. It’s certainly a common enough practice – not like you’re the only one who does it.
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Amanda Reply:
July 25th, 2010 at 2:02 am
Out of 19 replies so far to this post, 12 commenters left links to their own blogs. I think it’s a common practice. You go, Daddy, leave those links.
Jenn Reply:
July 25th, 2010 at 11:35 am
Leave the links. It’s how I found your site, though I fail to remember whose blog I was on at the time. I rarely click on a person’s name in the comments but for some reason if they attach a link I am more likely to click through.
The photos are absolutely amazing.
Jenn´s most recent blog post: school stuff
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You are hysterical and that is the coolest photos even tho’ it made the hair stand up on my neck…Not a fan of bugs..ugh.
I’m ADDish so feel your pain, confusion, etc.. ha ha
Keep doing what you are doing!
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Ewwwwwww! Ick! Ick!
But very cool pictures – and kudos to you for doing so, even though the possibility was there for that thing to attach to your face and suck the life force out of you.
Gigi´s most recent blog post: Its Been over A Year Really
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Very stinkin’ cool. I never catch bugs doing anything except crawling around in places I’d prefer they didn’t. Like in my damn house.
kim @ mommyknows´s most recent blog post: Wordless Wednesday – Elephant Boy
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Very brave. Especially since cicadas bite. I know this because I tried to be the cool mom and carry one that appeared to be dying in a steamy parking lot upstairs to my bug-crazy girl. In my hands. Big mistake. Huge. I suppose the cooler temps and plush surroundings really pissed it off.
A&EMom´s most recent blog post: Little A Turns Two!
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Coolest picture! Call National Geographic – those pics are worthy. I love bugs – but they creep me out at the same time. I would have been right there watching and hoping it didn’t fly at me. But I wouldn’t have been mindful enough to get a camera. Nice work!
Kernut the Blonde´s most recent blog post: Social Media- Jobs- Spam- Sex and Dating – Maybe not in that order
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Beautiful shot.
Speaking of linking back to sites, a while ago I found a couple of lizards humping in my yard and got a picture of it (and other weird things, which I and some of my readers wrote poems about). The photo is pretty cool–sexier, but less artistic than yours. Anyway, you can see it here: http://butterbeanandcobra.blogspot.com/2010/04/what-maya-angelou-doesnt-want-you-to.html
beta dad´s most recent blog post: Im nominated for Smuggest DIY-bag Hippie Foodsnob Daddyblogger!!
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Those are some freakingtastic photos. Officially I need one of those FANCY cameras. We talked about yours at Bossy’s meet up. And I think most bloggers put links in their comments. I for one appreciate it. I find most of the blogs I enjoy reading that way.
MidLifeMama´s most recent blog post: The Strength and Power Within
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Cool Pics! Can’t wait to show my kids, my boy will think it is very cool! Thanks for sharing!
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DUDE. Those photos are freaking awesome. Wow.
Kara´s most recent blog post: Newish digs
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Amazing photos!!
I’m glad you link back to your site it’s how I found you. Now if you could just leave directions to your house it would make my stalking so much easier.
Thanks.
Tonya´s most recent blog post: A Mother A Writer A Summer A Rant A Guest Post by The Awesome Laura Munson
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Amazing pictures! Let’s say there was some skill there, too…not just luck.
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Imagine what it would be like if humans molted. Human casings all over the place.
Jeff Brown´s most recent blog post: Deadline reached
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Well, there you go…I am definitely in the minority it sounds like. Hey, if it drives that much traffic, then by all means, link like a fiend! I’m routing for ‘ya.
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I have no idea how or when I originally found your site. I was just going through my bookmarks, saw your blog title and thought “WTH is this?” and clicked on it. Once I got in, I remembered why I bookmarked you in the first place. Great blog. Awesome picture. And good for you for not freaking out and shrieking like a schoolgirl to get that shot.
Mirth´s most recent blog post: Starting at the top
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those are amazing pictures!
I hope you used a zoom lens! I wouldn’t have been able to get that close to a bug!
(found you at PW’s site)
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Those creatures are everywhere out here and they make me vomit in my mouth a little everytime I see the shell. Cool pictures though!
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Just so you know, cicadas actually are not “biters” they are “suckers”……as in with a long, pokey rostrum thingy like a mosquito only for plants. They are plant vampires. Truly awesome shots, will have to print them out for my classroom ~ if you don’t mind?
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