A cicada emerges

This cicada, a male Tibicen pruinosa, emerged June 15, 2004 andtook about 2 and a half hours to complete the process. I began photographing as he was climbing up at around 9:45 p.m. and took the final photo in the sequence at 12:23 a.m., as the cicada's wings began to harden.

Finding the perfect spot...

Now it's time to squeeze out of that hardening exoskeleton before it's too late...

Finally my head's out! I can see the world!!! =)

Just hanging around. This phase takes around 30 minutes. The legs harden and regain their strength at this time...

Now it's time to finish. The legs can hang on now. Now just PULL THAT TAIL END OUT!!!

The hard part's over. Now all that's left...

...is to inflate the wings...

...and let them dry...

And now just wait for dawn, ready to fly!!

By dawn, the cicada's wings will be completely hardened and his body will darken to its adult colors. Soon after first light he will fly off, ready to find a mate.

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