Collecting cicada shells

Yesterday afternoon we went collecting cicada shells from the big oak trees near our home...

We ran down the field to the trees...

Through the shade listening for where the cicadas were loudest...

I think they prefer oaks in the sun...

There they are!

Holding tight to the tree bark where the cicada crawled as a nymph for the last time were their empty shells.

There's one up there!

And three up there!

Oak trees are one of my favorite trees.

This one had a hole near the roots that made it look like a little doorway...

We collected lots, and took them home to the nature table.

I like this time of year. Lots of baby spiders are finding new homes, and the grass is shrouded with their tiny transport web strands.