Magnificent Cicada

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Cicadas, it turns out, are rather magical creatures.

After living as underground nymphs for most of their lives, they emerge in either 2.5 or 5 years, for some species, and either 13 or 17 years for others. Apparently that specific spacing mitigates their vulnerability by essentially starving their would-be predators, then inundating them.

Their eventual emergence is impossible to miss as they surface in overwhelming droves, shed their drab exoskeletons to reveal a stunning, colorful pattern and delicate, perfect wings, then begin their courtship – the males singing their little insect hearts out in hopes of attracting a mate.

Though I'd at one time felt (as so many of us do) like a caterpillar who'd endured the excruciation of transforming into a butterfly, while in New Zealand in the spring of 2016, I found myself identifying with these guys instead.

Something about the evolution of one who's so long kept her gifts buried deep, only to finally emerge and begin sharing songs in earnest – as though my life depends on it.

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^{camera: Canon EOS 5D Markiii
lens: 100mmf2.8L Macro Prime
specs: (first image only) ISO 200 - f2.8 - 1/125 sec
date / location: 17 February 2016 / Whitemans Valley, Upper Hutt, New Zealand}