Pandemic Week 61: The Cicadas Emerge

While the rest of the world has been watching the latest news on vaccinations and mask requirements, once again the news is different in the Washington, D.C. area.  The headline here is the emergence of the cicadas.
Cicada emerging from its shell

For those outside of the DC area, this is a unique insect phenomenon in which millions of cicadas burrow into the ground and live on tree sap for 17 years (that is not a typo).  Somehow, they know when to come out of their shells, climb the trees, mate, and then die.  When the eggs hatch, the baby cicadas fall to the ground where they burrow in and stay for another 17 years.  It is truly mind boggling the number of them (it actually looks like the grass is moving in some places because there are so many on the ground).  We definitely have them in our yard, but the real cicada party seems to be going on across the street at Jackie's house.  You cannot even walk up her front sidewalk without stepping on them as there are so many.  Her trees are covered.  We expect to hear them later this week when the mating call begins.  It is so loud it sounds like an airplane flying over or a lawnmower.  For more information, check out the Cicada Article on Brood X.  You can also check out a story from CBS Sunday Morning that features our local cicadas....with a very excited University
Cicadas climbing a fence
 of Maryland entomologist.  

In other news of the week:
  • Theresa returned to the office - at least for one day.  She quickly realized this presented another challenge as meetings now start earlier and the day ends later since everyone is at home.  Future office visits TBD.
  • Anna successfully completed her first Standards of Learning test for science and passed.  One down.
  • Joe decided to trim the holly bush WAY back.....and exposed a robin's nest with three eggs in the process.  Needless to say, the mama robin was not happy to have the protection for her 3 eggs disturbed.  The good news is she continues to sit on the nest....except when Joe goes by and she swoops at him.
  • Theresa was forced to bid farewell to her yardwork jeans.  These date to her college years and are the one and only pair of gap jeans she ever purchased. They are also the original "mom" jeans before that was a thing.  Sadly, there were one too many holes in all the wrong places.  It is unclear what they will be replaced by. 
  • The Pfizer vaccine was approved for 12-15 year olds.  Fingers crossed Anna can get an appointment this week!

It is supposed to be in the 80s this week, likely resulting in a cicada explosion. Stay tuned for the updates!
3 robin eggs in the newly trimmed bush

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