There are no tricks involved at all. Magicicadas prefer forest clearings which is where you'll find the majority of the population. They always appear in large numbers in order to satiate predators and can be found on the ground, on fences, grasses, houses, and especially in trees. Most occasions, you can walk right up to them and pick them up. If the first one you see flies away, don't be worried, that's just their instinct for survival.
Cicadas are like people, some are smarter than others.
Keep looking, there will be more. And remember, Magicicadas begin appearing in late April to early May in the Southern states and late May to early June in the northern states. Tibicens are found across the country and begin appearing in late June to mid July and will continue to emerge as late as early September. Tibicens are NOT predator foolhardy like their Magicicada cousins. Often when I accidentally stumble across one, if its a male, it will give off a shrill audible alarm, prior to taking to wing.