A Bug In Your Ear
by admin
Is this really gross or really awesome?
Having grown up in “The North”, Scott and I had a lot of things to adjust to when we moved into “The Deep South”. One of many things – the bugs. Don’t get me wrong, Wisconsin can grow a mosquito big enough to move furniture, but that is where it stops. Here, however, we have bugs the size of rodents, insects that can’t decide if they are spiders or grasshoppers (Camel Crickets) and bees that eat wood and leave sawdust behind (carpenter bees). Some spiders are so large and hairy that they are called “Wolf Spiders”. There are even creatures that you can smell when you enter a room where they have been.
Camel Cricket, photo from here
Carpenter Bee, photo from here
Wolf Spider, photo from here
Stink Bug, photo from here
In the summer time, the trees of North Carolina buzz with the sound of cicadas looking for love (aka: ear-piercingly loud mating calls). These winged insects can be as long as two inches. They live underground, sucking the sap from roots, only emerging to molt and mate. Some stay underground for as little as two years. Other, distinct species live underground for 13 years, emerging in huge masses at the same place and timeframe. They fill the skies over much of South Carolina and a few wonder into our neck of the woods.
Cicada, photo from here
Like clockwork, the 13-year cicadas of South Carolina have emerged in the last few days. Today, a news reporter discovered sisters that have found an amazing way to take advantage of the situation – peeling the wings from cicada carcasses and transforming them into earrings! Full news story and images from here.
Wings
Wing
If you read my post from yesterday, you are well aware of my serious fashion shortcomings. Ignoring that, I think these earrings are absolutely awesome! Warning to all of my friends in Wisconsin – if I can get my hands on some of these… you are all getting a pair!
Speaking of people that have managed to work Mother Nature’s beauty into earrings, my friend Ashley owns a company called Fresh Feathers. She uses elements in her jewelry like long sleek tail feathers that fold into the wearer’s hair, giving off a sexy – almost not there appeal. Other, smaller feathers give off pops of color and sass. Her product is sold on-line and in high-end boutiques. She has requests from around the world… even from celebrities. Best of all, her materials are all natural and illuminate Mother Nature’s beauty. Fresh Feathers on Facebook.
If you follow this blog, you know that I have a love-hate relationship with Mother Nature. She sure can mess with a person’s life… but she definitely knows how to impress!