AWAY FOR THE HOLIDAYS....

At first, we thought (from a distance) that we'd found the first Christmas beetle of the year but of course it is a discarded cicada skin. There is a fascinating time sequence display here which shows how they do it and lots more interesting info you didn't know you needed.  Did you wear these as jewellery when you were kid?  And speaking of Christmas beetles, where are they?  I haven't seen one this year.  You'll be the first to know when I do.
[edit 10/1/12: just found this photo I took a couple of months ago, didn't notice what was hanging from the water lily petals until now.]