Woods Country Cove

Friday, August 26, 2011

TINY WONDERS AT THE COVE

 

Yesterday I spent the day photographing and playing around with my camera’s settings, still getting used to all it can do lol . As I was doing that a few Hummingbirds were playing around chasing each other  and talking to one another so I decided to take photos of one. He was so funny hovering around me checking me out and chattering ,  he defiantly  wasn't camera shy more like in my face yelling ‘ “TAKE MY PICTURE LADY’  so that I did !

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He was a cheeky little guy teasing me zooming around me the feeder and the tree I was standing under !

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Then I saw this. These are hard to get photos of as they are very rarely low enough to even see. You can always hear them in the humidity buzzing a high pitch sound.

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                                                              This is a Cicadas !

We used to call them hydro bugs when I was kid on the farm, they sounded like the hum of the old hydro wires that traveled along the road sides !

                                          A bit of info on these strange bugs !

        CICADAS

(Homoptera: Cicadidae)

There are several species of cicadas in Ontario. All are large in size (2-5 cm long) robust and somewhat triangular in shape. Their antennae are very short, and some are black and green in colour. The wings are held over the back in a sloping fashion and are membranous. Cicadas are very attractive and different in form from most other insects, and often attract interest when they are found.

The common species in Ontario are referred to as the dog-day harvest flies. They have a life cycle of four years or more. The 17-year locust (cicada) is more common farther south in the United States. This species may take 13 to 17 years to complete a life cycle.

Cicadas are well known for their high-pitched, shrill call. The sound is produced by the male, which has powerful muscles attached to the side of membranes that can be vibrated very rapidly. This droning sound is produced on hot, humid days in July and August.

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So that is what I did for the most part of yesterday . I know some of you are thinking  EWWW BUGS !!! but they are amazing to capture in a photo, honest , not all of nature is pretty now is it but it is fascinating !

                                   Until next time. hope you have a great day !

                                               COUNTRY GAL

10 comments:

Dar said...

We agree about photographing and being inspired by the nature around us...I love catching the hummingbirds in flight, but difficult as they are soooo darned fast. One of our Grandloves calls them hovercrafts. LOL The Cicada is a wonder! I did not realize they were way up there by you.
Thanks for sharing.
BlessYourHeart

Leah said...

Wonderful - I love the hummingbird pics!

Janet, said...

You are getting great pictures with your camera! We call the cicadas locusts and they sure are noisy.

Pat said...

Those hummingbirds photos are fantastic! Hummingbirds are such little treasures, aren't they?

The cicadas are so loud right now in the campground - unbelievable.

The 17 year locust? Yuk, yuk, yuk! I've experienced that 3 times in my lifetime.....it definitely is like the plague. They are ALL OVER THE PLACE! On the road, on the sidewalk, all over the trees. Your tires CRUNCH when you drive - this is if you live in a treed area!

I don't mind the locust in a tree where I can hear him but not see him.

Lois Evensen said...

The cicadas are loud here now, too. It's just that time of the year. The dogs like to chase them. They are obviously pretty tasty, too. ;)

Far Side of Fifty said...

Lovely Hummingbird Photos..I enjoyed them:)

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Great hummingbird shots, Elaine, and I'm envious cause I have never gotten a good shot of these little creatures. The locusts/cicadas are amazing and actually no harmful to humans. Their look is worse then their bite.

Sherry Sikstrom said...

Wonderful shots ! My hummingbird photos are always blurred

黄清华 Wong Ching Wah said...

What a clever little bird ! beautiful shots. Have a good day !

Anonymous said...

Everyone loves these hummingbird pictures, and me too. Have fun playing with the camera, as you take some very fine pictures and there are good subjects around.

-Seasons.