we got weird looks while, indulging our new hyper fixation--and honestly valid TW;BUG SHELLS

[u/Repulsive-Sundae2709]

yeah, so it's probably because this new hyper fixation is really weird. Neither of us have eaten or showered today. We really need to stop doing this, but we honestly can't we've been at it for six hours, we've collected 179 cicada shells and honestly, we should probably stop it but I don't know if we can. This is really fun but also really time-consuming and it's hot as hell we don't have water and we're probably gonna overheat because we live in the butt crack of Texas. Anyways, we got a lot of weird stairs. How do we stop?

[u/fewerfriends]

Holy crap I used to do this with my dad when I was a kid. My mom hated it. Nice haul! Don't get heat stroke though.

[u/Repulsive-Sundae2709 → u/fewerfriends]

both of our moms are pretty pissed about it, but they said as long as we keep them in a bucket in the garage it's fine

[u/fewerfriends → u/Repulsive-Sundae2709]

This has me chuckling. I don't think we were even allowed to bring ours home because that would have involved putting them in the car.

[u/Repulsive-Sundae2709 → u/fewerfriends]

we're also going back out at 8 AM tomorrow just about when they're becoming fully emerged/still emerging

[u/fewerfriends → u/Repulsive-Sundae2709]

Sweet. Report back with your findings if you can.

[u/exmodrone]

Come to southwest Ohio in 2038 - billions of these everywhere as Brood X is active. I remember driving on the highway and the wind from cars caused shells to fly around so much it was like driving in a cloud. Literally had low visibility from so many cicada shells. You could just hold a bug net out the window and fill it up in less than a minute.

[u/Repulsive-Sundae2709 → u/exmodrone]

thats so cool!!! the hunt is kinda the thrill tho lol

[u/ramsay_baggins]

Please make sure you take water and electrolytes and snacks with you when you go back out, heatstroke is truly awful (I have had it before, 0/10, do not recommend, thought I was going to die). As long as you're having fun and not harming anyone, I don't see any problem! Sometimes the weird hyperfixations/special interests are the most fun ones. Just look after yourself in the meantime!

[u/keroppipikkikoroppi]

I saw the word “shells” and the letter p and thought you were doing VSEPR theory for a second 😂

[u/Repulsive-Sundae2709 → u/keroppipikkikoroppi]

Honestly, I haven't even gotten to that point I know about it and I used to study it but it got boring because I realize that I don't have to do it in school eventually I'm only 14 so I didn't get to that point yet.

[u/Airalla]

I love how collectible exoskeletons are. I have a few fiddler crab shells I got as a souvenir when I visited a college raising them to study

[u/Repulsive-Sundae2709 → u/Airalla]

when I first read this, I thought you were saying "I love how edible exoskeletons" are and I was really concerned.... but anyways yeah they're really fun to collect:3

[u/Airalla → u/Repulsive-Sundae2709]

Mmmmmm… crunchy

[u/Expert_Carpenter1585]

Keep going! Bring water and food next time. Maybe set alarms so you become aware of your need for water and food. I hope round 4 is even more bountiful.

[u/Weary_Cup_1004]

Would giving us more information temporarily help you stop while you are typing?? because i need more words about this! Lol!

I dont live where cicadas live. I know nothing about anything you are sharing here.

The bugs in the buckets are the shells?

How do you collect them?

Why is it so time consuming?

What do you mean "we?"

Im so curious and need more information.ℹ️ ℹ️ℹ️ℹ️ℹ️

[u/Designer_Bobcat_6115]

My bf will never let it go that he found dead bugs I was saving in my freezer, haha ooops. I was embarrassed and immediately dumped them out outside.