Maria McLachlan Photography

08/03/2023

The last on Cicadas (for now)

Natural global range:

Chorus cicadas are endemic insects to New Zealand. The most closely related species are found in Australia, New Caledonia and Norfolk Island. However, some studies about the New Zealand fauna show that the fauna of New Zealand was from several invasions across the Tasman Sea from Australia or New Caledonia.

New Zealand range:

Chorus cicadas are often found in towns and cities. They are distributed throughout the whole country, common in the North Island, some coastal areas of the South Island, central Otago and parts of Canterbury.

Habitat preferences:
Chorus cicadas are commonly found in open forests and woodlands but also sometimes found on buildings, fences or lamp posts. Cicadas prefer sub-tropical, sub-humid and temperate environments.

01/03/2023

Still loving the Cicadas!

Chorus cicada have a nymph stage before their last molt and become an adult. During this nymph stage they are a soft and creamy white, and very similar looking to the adult form (but without wings). Adults are usually larger than 2 cm in length while the largest species are up to 4 cm; this includes the wings. Chorus cicadas’ wings only appear after molting to become adults, they are membranous with veins and they filter out ultraviolet light and the wing span is about 6 cm.

The colour of the chorus cicada can be black/green/brown and many have stripes along their body. The antenna of the chorus cicada has seven segments with the seventh being constricted medially, which means the last segment is tightened towards the middle. The adult male cicadas differ from the females by the presence of a clasper sheath, and females do not have the finger-like extensions that the males have.

A simple page for my love of photography. A small beginning.

22/02/2023

Autumn in New Zealand. It's Cicada time!! Love the sound of them and there is so many in my garden right now.

The chorus cicada, Amphipsalta zelandica, is the most common species of cicada in New Zealand, where it is endemic and found in most areas. They typically live in forests and areas with open bush, where their left-over nymph skins can be seen on tree trunks and branches during the summer months. The males produce their cicada sound in unison, which can reach deafening proportions at the height of their population around February. Groups of cicada can suddenly transition from the typical cicada sound to synchronised clicks, using their wings to clap against the surface they are sitting on.

A simple page for my love of photography. A small beginning.

11/02/2023

Sometimes nature is just a mixture of old and new. Bright red new flowers tinged by dying rays of a sunset. Old foliage dying behind it reminding us of the circle of life and if you look close a spider has start to weave a web.

04/02/2023

Wild flowers are wonderful. They just grow wherever they choose and take over as much space as they want to. This was taken at sunset with light and dark splashing all over the scene.

29/01/2023

Bubbling water, debris, long grasses all make for a very peaceful scene. It was nice to sit by it for a while on one of the few sunny evenings we've had here.

I am really loving my Nikon D7500 camera.

22/01/2023

A vibrant splash of yellow on a sunset walk. I love what pops up in the glorious mess of nature.

13/01/2023

Concrete
Chain link fence
Wires
Mother nature doesn't care - she's taking over!

07/01/2023

I truly hate walking under bridges - some part of me always thinks a car or a truck going across will fall on me or break the bridge! However, here I am underneath one because looking at this it always hits home that no matter how much concrete we create in this world - mother nature will simply start taking it over!

01/01/2023

30/12/2022

More from a walk I took. This is a Hydro dam which is pretty cool to look at. I like the foliage that got in the way and one day I will get a shot of this without it. I was unable to walk any further due to my previous fall or maybe I just have to get in the water to get the shot!

22/12/2022

Whilst out walking I spotted this, just sitting in the grass. I have no idea what it is however it suits being there and was an unusual surprise.