Every summer, about a month before school starts back up in August, there's a sound that I hear that reminds me that summer is winding down.
It's the song of the cicadas.
I never heard of cicadas until I moved to the Midwest about 15 years ago. Suffice it to say, they don't thrive in Los Angeles, where I grew up. (Go to this site, scroll down to the cicada picture, and listen to the sound they make if you aren't familiar with them either.)
Every once in a while the media makes a big deal over a designated "brood" of cicadas, which can be impressive. However, there are cicadas that show up every single year and just hang out in the trees and do their thing.
What they do best is remind me that summer is almost over.
I'm not the only one, either. Mrs. Cardinal and I were walking to the tavern while I was up in Ohio and we heard them. "Ah," she said. "That means there's only about four more weeks of summer."
Sigh.
Still, I enjoy listening to them. It's nice to have a reminder that doesn't beep at me or need batteries.
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6 comments:
I grew up in Kansas, so I'm well acquainted with the hum of the cicadas. Thanks for bringing back enjoyable memories!
I think we have cicada here in Las Vegas, but it's not where I'd expect to find them. If it's not cicada's I wish I knew what is making racket out in my trees! Unlike you, that sound grates on my nerves! LOL!
Reporting from Kansas---we have something which adds to the cicada drama. Cicada killers!! They look like huge hornets, they catch the cicadas in mid air and drag them to their underground lairs. They are spooky.
Here in East Texas it is Cicada paradise. You hear them daily from July through August. When a whole group of them rev up it sounds like a swarm of miniature lawnmowers!
Those cicadas are some kinda loud! When my in-laws visit from the Upper Midwest, they can't believe the racket when they sit out on the deck! Not enthused about going back to school yet, but think I'll start to get psyched when I return from my August vay-cay. Don't forget today's Silly Sunday Sweepstakes!! I've got a SWEET snap for you to caption!
Five summers ago, my wife and I spent a month in France and Italy. There were some places - especially in Provence and around Rome - where the cicadas were so loud, one had to practically yell in order to be heard.
I LOVED IT!
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