Some that Fly & Some that Crawl

The periodical cicadas have appeared.  Their whirring sound is quite loud in the woods surrounding us.  J & I are seeing them, with their red eyes, and we're seeing many of their shed skins, which McNibs seems to relish eating.  While J was working in his shop yesterday, a hornet crash landed.  He saw McNibs eat it, I'm guessing because it looked pretty similar to the cicada skins.  Amazingly, he had no swelling or other effects, except for a bit of drool for a minute or so.  Silly dog!  We also noticed an odd formation of caterpillars, which came off an oak tree and was several feet in length.  They followed each other for a time, then started to disperse.  We haven't yet researched what they are.  Does anyone know? 

I've done a little bit of thrifting recently, and found some wonderful embroidery hoops, sewing notions and a great stash of old buttons, some of which are obviously made of shell.  I should be set for some crafty stitchery for a good while.

The garden is doing really well.  The potatoes are putting on lots of growth.  Beans, peas, carrots, beets and tomatoes are growing.  The asparagus are beginning to slow, but we've eaten our first strawberries.  We need to get the bird netting on them soon, or lose many, if previous years are any indication.  Something else for our to-do list.  The pond has more water in it, thanks to 2 1/2 inches of rain this week.  J said it was at 4 ft 4 inches.  How's your garden growing?