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Grasshoppers on A Cattail (X-Rated)

September 2, 2008 by 11 Comments
Grasshoppers on Cattails

Differential Grasshoppers on Cattail © 2008

While hiking in the prairie just north of Madison, I noticed a cattail that had exploded with seeds. Upon further examination, I discovered two grasshoppers partially hiding in all the fluff. They seemed quite preoccupied and didn’t appear to mind my camera lens pointing within inches of them.

I think this may be my first ‘insect’ shot. I usually am too impatient to wait for insects, but this was a ready to take photo.

When I went to do some research on these complicated looking creatures, I found hundreds of pages of information on grasshoppers. I had no idea there were so many different grasshoppers.  I concluded that these were a pair of Differential Grasshoppers – what an odd name! – by the unmistakable black chevron pattern on their hind legs. Pretty cool pattern.

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About Bo Mackison

I'm a photographer, book-artist, traveler, naturalist, and creator of the Contemplative Creatives Journey, An Online Workshop and Community and Desert Wisdom Cards and Workshops. Though often not well known, I find the desert a welcoming place - a healing space. Its mysteries and gifts transformed me several years ago. Since that first encounter, I return again and again to fill my well in what most people think of as a desolate region. I'd love to share my desert discoveries and wisdom with you. Please subscribe to receive my five part mini email course The Gifts of the Desert. It's my gift to you.

Comments

  1. Marcie says
    September 2, 2008 at 1:35 pm

    Fantastic!! You certainly captured a moment!!!

    Reply
  2. Anna Surface says
    September 2, 2008 at 2:14 pm

    LOL I like captures like these… while inspecting a plant or flower, and whoa insects x-rated. I used to catch these type of grasshoppers all the time as a kid just to look at them. They spit a type of ‘tobacco juice’, if I remember. This is an excellent shot… the exploded cattail with happy grasshoppers. 🙂

    Reply
  3. Amelia says
    September 2, 2008 at 5:53 pm

    I used to catch these grasshoppers when I was a kid and keep them in jars with a handful of grass.

    Reply
  4. ybonesy says
    September 2, 2008 at 7:43 pm

    Wow, they’re like hippie lovers on a road trip. (Don’t know why they struck me that way, but they did.)

    Reply
  5. ceanothe says
    September 3, 2008 at 1:59 am

    Superbe photo, magnifique macro !

    Reply
  6. Gandalf says
    September 3, 2008 at 7:03 am

    I’ll bet they would make great bait for some fishing.

    Reply
  7. Laurie says
    September 3, 2008 at 9:07 am

    Lol! I think you caught a private moment!

    They are very cool looking. I have a photo in the archives of the same species from about a year ago. I love the pattern and the almost armor like quality of their bodies.

    Reply
  8. visuallens says
    September 3, 2008 at 11:50 am

    It looks like mother carry her baby…Bo you have a good pair of “photography eyes”

    Reply
  9. Sumedh says
    September 3, 2008 at 1:51 pm

    amazing shot! 🙂 haha, dunno if they’d be too happy to see this getting published in tabloids…LOL!!

    Reply
  10. Amelia says
    September 6, 2008 at 11:57 am

    Funny shot. Those chevron marks are so cool!

    Reply
  11. amuirin says
    September 7, 2008 at 8:18 pm

    I do love the markings.

    It kinda looks like a dwarf grasshopper making it with a cheerleader grasshopper.

    I mean, it looks like that if you’re a tad warped.

    Reply

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