I took this picture in June 2004 with the first digital camera I owned. It was the emergence of "Brood X" which happened in central New Jersey.

These particular cicadas emerge only every 17 years. This individual, if they mated could be a grandparent but unfortunately they die soon after mating.

There must have been millions of them and for a few days the noise was deafening. It sounded like old 1950s sci fi UFOs.

I think it's so cool we share a planet with so many different creatures. We need to preserve this planet. It's the only one we have!!