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Do you have the long cycle cicadas there? I think next year is the next 17 year invasion for us. We have some every year, but it is quite impressive when that 17 year cycle hits!!!
Ah, tell me more about it, I have never heard of it.
17 year cycles? Very interesting indeed!
 
Ah, tell me more about it, I have never heard of it.
17 year cycles? Very interesting indeed!

In the US...maybe elsewhere as well??...there is a species of cicada that lives underground for 17 years. Then they all come above ground at the same time to mate.

By "all"...I do mean all! Literally millions all at once! Take a step and crush 3 of them under your foot kind of numbers!

One of my fondest memories of my rambunctious son was the last emergence. We were at the zoo watching all the animals enjoy their 17 year snacks :) My 12 year old son is doing what kids do...running around like a goofball. He ran ahead and jumped to grab a low hanging branch. Hundreds of cicada shook loose and fell onto the group of young girls who then started screaming because there were bugs in their hair! I spent a l9ng time apologizing and I was not happy with him at the time. But I can still see that moment and now it makes me chuckle :)

Northern Illinois' next 17 year brood emergence is 2024.

Anyway, here is a little more info:

 
This is a rose-breasted grosbeak. I've had one visit the feeder the last couple of years. They usually only hang around a few days. This year I have three males and at least one female that have been here for about a week now. 😎IMG_20230429_165136911.jpg
And the female.
IMG_20230429_183821398.jpg
 
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