I don’t know about where you are but the cicadas have made their presence known here in Missouri. Hunting is not the right word. I just walked out in the front yard to take a picture of this bad boy. They really just started showing up. Nothing, then boom, they’re everywhere. I’ve passed white fences and walls that are covered with them. Now I think I know what’s been eating the vine at our mailbox.

These little “tree crickets” show up periodically. According to a map and information on Cicada Mania I think we’ve got Brood IV XIX. These are 13-year cicadas and they are loud and proud.

How loud? Here’s a few seconds of sound I recorded just now with my iPhone from the same tree I shot the photo. You can also hear a nearby highway. Cicada Sound

Now, that will either put you to sleep while you lie in your hammock or else it will grate on your nerves and force you to put your ear buds on and crank up your favorite Pandora station.