Fire Update 10am 21.10.13 and Introducing Nemo the Refugee Cicada

[darklotus1211]

I'm apologising in advance for not replying to comments etc, as it looks like we are going to be in for a very busy and scary day and I may not have time until... who knows

Comments

[raettawy]

Be safe! It's okay if you can't respond to us individually - this way lets us know you are okay.

And...ermm...your new housemates...

hug

[teddyradiator]

You are so brave. I am not a praying person, but I will be sending as many positive thoughts your way as I can. Take care, and we'll keep our fingers crossed.

[droxy]

That is one huge cicada! Has singed wings.

Stay safe.

[darklotus1211]

He came down with a rain of embers and he'd just emerged from his casing. I was hoping his wings would plump up at least a bit more, but they've been too damaged. He's healthy otherwise and there's a thick stand of trees along the creek behind me that is full of cicadas of his species so I'm going to take him down there today so he's in with a chance to mate. This species make their calls by rubbing the serrated tops of their wings against their carapaces (they're the only species that make noise this way) and at first he wasn't doing too well in the love call stakes. He's picked up, though and is now able to make a pretty good call, and because the stand there is thick, he can move from tree to tree without flying.
I'd like to see him have a chance to pass his genes on - he's a tough little bugger.

I hope a bird doesn't get him, or the fire, but I reckon it's fairer to let him do his cicada thing.

[quaffswinegaily]

What a beauty! and ginormous.

[darklotus1211]

We grow 'em big over here! He's actually changed colour now and is what we call a Masked Devil. This species of cicada have a range of colours - you can even get rare ones that are blue! We call them Blue Moons - original, eh?

Poor old Nemo was carried along with the embers from the fire after he'd just emerged. I was putting my bins out when he landed on the lid of one and I thought it was an ember, so went to flick it off. I found him still holding on to his casing, so I'd hoped his wings would plump up, but they've been damaged too badly.

He's healthy otherwise and has made himself at home. He has a nice big wattle branch to suck the sap out of, but he seems to prefer sitting on my shoulder - he keeps climbing over to me and settling there. I think he likes me.

[quaffswinegaily]

Maybe not the cuddliest of pets, but he is rather gorgeous.