This cicada recently emerged as an adult cicada, I believe, having molted (shed its skin), leaving the abandoned skin on a lower portion of this tree. There are said to be about 2,500 different species of cicadas around the world.

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For Our Daily Challenge: Bricks

This spot in the sun and out of the wind may have been the warmest place available for this guy today, with temperatures staying below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Tags:   ODC Our Daily Challenge insects bricks

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Lots of insect-to-flower activity in our back yard today. This guy was attracted to our Veronica plants in particular.

For today's DailyShoot assignment #ds587: Make a photograph that illustrates attraction. Pick whatever definition of the word you'd like.

Tags:   butterflys flowers Veronica plants nature

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We encountered this guy moseying along one of the handrails on a trail in Starved Rock State Park, near Utica, Illinois.

Tags:   caterpillars nature summer Starved Rock State Park

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