The number of cicadas around here is getting ridiculous. Was nearly deafened by them when on an ice-cream run today (it was more than 30 degrees, I figure that's as good an excuse as any for an ice-cream). When I was doing some raking, I found about 20 shells by the loquat tree. And there was this one (photos above) clinging to the outside of the house this morning...

Surely it's too early in the season for them to be out in plague proportions? Although I guess it's better than finding an enormous huntsman spider clinging to a baking tray in the kitchen this morning. Gross.