Two-striped Grasshopper – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/640, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Two days ago I was up in a canyon in the Wasatch Mountains looking for birds to photograph when I spotted a hummingbird hovering near a Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa) so I stopped my Jeep and waited for a bit to see if the hummingbird would return. While I waited I decided to take a few images of the milkweed even though they are now past their prime and some of the blossoms are wilted. As I photographed the milkweed I was delighted to see a grasshopper on one of the leaves and I took several images of it.
I researched Utah’s grasshoppers and found out that this is a Two-striped Grasshopper (Melanoplus bivittatus) and even though I may have seen this species of grasshopper before it is a photographic lifer for me. I don’t get to photograph grasshoppers very often here in Utah like I did in Florida so taking images of this one made me happy.
The hummingbird didn’t reappear so I moved on down the road.
My trip through the canyon after taking photos of this grasshopper was quiet and peaceful and even though clouds were building up I was able to check out several areas to see how the chokecherries and service berries were doing and scouted several locations that I think might be good for seeing birds feasting on the berries in a week or so. I’ll just need to be at those locations when the light is good, park and wait patiently for the birds to show up.
I also heard a bull elk calling which is the first time I have heard that bugling call this year. I have never gotten any decent photos of elk in the Wasatch Mountains but perhaps this year it will happen. Who knows?
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my flower, shrub and tree photos. Click here to see my insect and spider galleries.
I can remember driving through a plague of grasshoppers as a child and my father’s curses as he tried to remove their baked on bodies from the radiator.
Love your single beauty. And your attitude.
As a kid, I loved catching grasshoppers and watching them spit “tobacco juic” on my finger then fly away
I like the grasshopper, I am happy you took the time to photograph it. I heard and saw 8 elk there last week. They were across the stream in one of the canyon openings in the aspen. Too far for a photo but I stopped and watched. I also saw 2 coyotes, in the same area. They looked young, probably this year pups.
Nice macro! I doubt the grasshopper will eat that milkweed leaf– it is not brightly colored to warn predators of its toxicity as are the Monarch as well as the Milkweed Bugs and Beetles. It might get a tummy ache as well!
Handsome little fella. Looks like he might be settling in for a little snack.
Kudos to you for researching the type of grasshopper. Great detail.
Love the shot, and we enjoy Showy Milkweed as well.