Earmuffs Required

This is a Cicada, a very noisy insect, especially when accompanied by a few hundred backing singers. When we stopped to look at Roaring Billy waterfall on the way to Haast, the noise of the cicadas was so loud, that my hearing was muffled for about an hour after we left. It really is deafening.

This fellow was on a tree at the back of a church we stopped to have a look at on our way home yesterday. Although, strangely enough, it wasn't making any noise, and flew away shortly after having its photo taken.
I've turned the photo around so it's easier to look at.

I've spent the day cleaning the car, inside and out. It was hard work! The fur children are home, napping at the moment, after running through the house, and around the yard like mad things. I think they're glad to be home, I know I'm glad to have them home.