Often heard, rarely seen, always creepy

2013 is the year of the cidada. Here in Ontario, they are doing their usual buzzing thing and we don't get to see them up close too often. This one was on the sidewalk on my way to the York University GO train station. Down in Maryland and Virginia, we couldn't see them but there were a LOT more to hear - and they sound quite different - similar buzz but with much more of a staccato cadence to them. Why is it the year of the cicada? Because 2013 is a peak year in their 17-year cycle. Wow! Long-lived bugs! Somewhere between 30 BILLION and 1 TRILLION were expected to emerge this year. Some places got lots, others less than expected.

7 Things You Didn't Know About Cicadas.