This little cicada shell was gleaming in the sun like a miniature bronze, and naturally it beckoned to come home with me. It is the moulted shell from the final stage in a cicada’s growth. You may have happened across a similar empty shell tentatively clinging to a tree branch. You’d bring it home too, wouldn’t you?
The escape hatch. A little tear up the back.
*If you are curious about method, this cicada shell was photographed on a mirror.
All images © Karen McRae. 2012
draw and shoot 
These photographs are wild!
Hi Allen, thank you!
Out of flimsy empty shell, to create such solid monster is your eyes and
the photographic skill. Impressive work !
Thanks, Yoshizen. a harmless monster… 🙂
Another combination of cool science and hot poetry! I love these, Karen.
Thanks so much, Richard. A great comment, and much appreciated.
Incredible photos! And thank you for the tip about the mirror. I did wonder.
Thank you. Yes, I enjoy working with a mirror for certain specimens.
Your photos are amazing!
Thank you very much, Madoqua.
I always find both these and empty chrysalises (obviously) very inspiring. Beatiful images too!
Thanks, Trish. It must be tough work breaking out of these shells, or a chrysalis.
Yes. But it must also get uncomfortable inside them beyond a certain point. You would start to feel the itch to stretch your wings. That would be the incentive that makes all the effort worth it 🙂
like sculptures ! beautiful capture
Thank you, Isabella!
Interesting.
I just found one of these in my backyard when I was mowing the other day. I think they are the coolest too! Lovely shots as always, I so enjoy visiting your site : )
Thanks so much, Wicker. I appreciate that you come by! 🙂
So very alien, yet so familiar. Are they resting on a mirror? Love the reflection as much as the skin; a metaphor for life within and without this skin.
Ok, just read the last line. Question answered:) Anyway, another gorgeous set.
Thank you!
So delicate and prehistoric looking at the same time. I love all of the details you’ve offered here. Really wonderful images.
Hi Lemony, I just find these shells so interesting close-up. I’m glad you do to!
When my daughter was little, we lived through the 17 year cicada infestation. When we moved several years later I found a baggie of cicada shells behind her dresser.This brings back memories and is really well shot.
That’s really interesting. Thank you for sharing your story! 🙂
It was strange but that’s our life. I love the idea of cabinets of curiosities, they were precursor’s to sideshows, museum exhibits, and maybe hoarding?
This is brilliant!!
I’m glad you think so, thanks so much!
Reblogged this on educasheyla.
Great detail on these, amazing how they get out of the suit. We listen to these in summer evenings in France, but not in the UK, a soundtrack to lazy barbecues.
Jim
Thank you, Jim. Yes, you can hear them in threes around here now.
Fabulous!
Thanks, Nandini.
Beautiful and evoked memories for me of staying with my grandmother in Alexandria, Virginia. We grandchildren would collect the shells from all over her neighborhood. It was my brother’s idea; he was always a little creepy that way. We called them locust shells.
Hi JenyJenny,
I would have been joining your brother collecting them. 🙂
They are similar to locusts, but not the same. Thank you.
…well it takes more than a mirror for these exquisite shots!!! Such wonderful detail.
Thank you again, Marina. Such kind words, always…
Reblogged this on streams of perpendicular thought. and commented:
This reminded me of the things we leave behind.
Cicada shells bring back so many childhood memories! Whooshing back playfully like children in an Australian backyard! Beautiful! Thankyou:)
Thank you, Gigi:)
Just wow!
Thank you, Madhu.
I rather enjoy your view of life, Karen. 🙂
And I am glad that you do, Scott! Thanks very much. 🙂
You are so welcome, Karen. 🙂
good stuff… interesting little creature…
Yes, a cool little bit of metamorphosis.
Thank you, David.
How very beautiful… and yes I would have brought it home !
Helen, I would have suspected as much!:)
Thank you.
karen! These photos brought back memories of the cicada shells covering the tree trunks in Sydney. I haven’t seen one in years! Thank you!
Thanks, Marina! I’m glad you enjoyed this.
Amazing what things can look beautiful through your lens. Fantastic shots!
Inga, thanks so much for a very kind comment.
absolutely beautiful!!!
Thank you.
Just like a cabinet of curiosities! I love the mirror trick too so effective.
Thanks, Emily. The mirror can be an interesting tool, I’m glad you think it’s effective.
Inspiring. (I may have to try this myself: there are plenty of empty shells on Rome’s trees).
Plus, imagine going to sleep as a creepy-crawlie and waking up with wings…
It’s true Alessandro, the transformation would be incredible.
If you manage to sprout wings, please do post some pictures!
Lovely! In Greece we call them tzitzikia (because they sound like this:- tzi – tzi ). As children we used to capture them. A whole adventure to trace them on a tree, because they keep quite when they sense movement and danger around. And since they are brownish, and sit on tree trunks of the same colour, you have to spot them while they sing. The shells are actually green. They come out of the wholes in the ground trying to get high enough, so the sun will make the shell crisp and allow them to escape it.
Thanks for the photos and the awakening of memories!
I like the Greek name for them, it describes their sound very well.
I’m glad you enjoyed these, thank you!
Very inventive this shooting-on-a-mirror technique, I’ll have to borrow that sometime!
Oh, it’s good fun – do give it a try. Thanks, Tom.