OK, everyone who asked “what the heck is that”
It’s a cicada.
Wikipedia:Cicada
I have fond memories of the 17 year variety (Magicicada) coming out in ~1971 and ~1988 In Chicago. The first time they came out I connect the year with the summer Dad got that huge load of bowling pins from the bowling alley for burning in the fire place. Darn those things burn well.
Cicadas are harmless to people and trees, They wont hurt but the youngest trees, and only then when they emerge en masse. They are not disease carriers in any way. They make nice fun pets! They dont bite, sting, or pinch. (their feet sure do grab on to your finger quite well though!!)
The second time I remember them was the year I got the Pinball machine for Dad, the one Stephanie and Elden have/had. I got it from the basement of a house on the south side of Chicago that used to have an illegal still in the basement, behind a fake brick wall.. (I distinctly remember them showing me that wall.. Very cool.) It was in a classic southside basement bar, that you could just imagine the good times had in there in past years.
Yet everyone had grown, and no more parties were being thrown, so they were selling off the bar items, the pinball machine being one of the items.

I need to look up the next nearby place/year “Brood X” as they are called is going to emerge, and maybe take the kids to see it.

Posted on 29 August '06 by , under Uncategorized.