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Meadow Grasshopper


Meadow Grasshopper
Photo Information
Copyright: Alan Turvey (liquidsunshine) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1878 W: 112 N: 1560] (5437)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-08-14
Categories: Insects
Camera: Canon EOS 300 D, Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro, Hoya 58mm skylight
Exposure: f/11, 1/200 seconds
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Orthoptera of Europe incl. Turkey-1 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2005-08-14 12:52
Viewed: 4126
Points: 48
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Today I managed to get an hour at college lake nature centre.
With the threat of rain, and with the windy conditions, I wasn't expecting much luck. I did get the opportunity to get a few shots.
The first success was the Meadow Grasshopper.

Size Length: 18 - 24 mm

Status Common.

Description
This is probably the most frequently seen grasshopper; it is fairly large and occurs in a very wide range of colours, including green, brown and purple, usually with a variable amount of black, brown or grey mottling. The tough forewings, which protect the delicate membranous hind wings, are long, and in common with all Chorthippus spcies, have a bulge near their base. Most individuals have an orange tinge at the tip of the abdomen. This species can be identified by the low number of 'stridulatory' pegs on the legs used to produce the very charcteristic song.

Range
Common throughout Britain, and found throughout Europe including the Iberian Peninsula. It is more common in the north of its range.

Habitat
Occurs in a range of dry, grassy habitats. It is often common in dry parkland, roadsides and waste ground.

Biology
This grasshopper is a strong flier, and is active in warm weather; on warm days it can frequently be seen sunning itself on walls, bare ground and paths. The song consists of chirps lasting half a second long. Males often chirp at each other in turn; these 'rivalry' songs are very characteristic of the species. During courtship they produce a 'ticking' sound when paired with a female. These sounds are produced by 'stridulation', in which the hindlegs are scraped against veins on the forewing.

During summer, females lay a large egg pod containing up to 15 eggs in dry ground just below the surface, or sometimes in anthills. The egg is the overwintering stage; they hatch in May and adults appear in June. Grasshoppers undergo a type of development known as 'incomplete metamorphosis', in which the larvae, known as 'nymphs' resemble wingless adults, and progress through a series of moults before reaching maturity. Adult common field grasshoppers are better able to survive cold weather than many other species of grasshopper, and they can occasionally survive until December

Notes from Arkive.org

Thanks for looking, have a good week.
phlr, carper, wallhalla15, cedryk, lglandon, AndyB, PDP, marhowie, annagrace, dew77, naki, red45, coasties, Luc, Comandante has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3089 W: 230 N: 6774] (23770)
  • [2005-08-14 13:06]

That is a beauty, Alan. Despite the windy conditions, you managed to capture this grasshopper with very sharp details. I think the light is perfect. I like the way there are some shiny parts. The composition is very pleasing, and the notes are informative. Well done and TFS. : )

  • Great 
  • pgmoni Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 343 W: 100 N: 637] (2769)
  • [2005-08-14 13:40]

Ecellent work. The DOF and light are very good. I like the composition too.
Well done

  • Great 
  • carper Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1973 W: 119 N: 2582] (8439)
  • [2005-08-14 14:08]

lovely shot Alan,
the composition is very nice taken,the pov is nice and the dof is oke, the details are good and the note is well done, very good job my friend.
gr. Jaap

Hi Alan!
Superb clos-up with amazing frame!
Like a postcard.

Alan, this is a excellent Picture. Great colours, sharpness excellent, a very nice composite. Well done.

  • Great 
  • cedryk Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 967 W: 50 N: 1722] (5270)
  • [2005-08-14 15:17]

A perfect shot. The overall greenes gives nice peaceful composition and the hairy edges bring softness. A very "quiet" and elegant shot :-)

Nice detail though I feel that the sharpness could be worked on a little to really crisp up the grasshopper...maybe some High Pass filter sharpening would make him stand out a little more?

Nice shot for this well grasshopper!
TFS, Laurent

  • Great 
  • AndyB Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1366 W: 32 N: 1351] (3982)
  • [2005-08-14 16:25]

A very good capture Alan,
Excellent lighting,nice detail and very good DOF.
Great framing too.
Nice work,well done.

TFS

  • Great 
  • PDP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 2821 W: 344 N: 3779] (11769)
  • [2005-08-14 16:39]

Hello Alan, nice shot. It's a very nice composition and good details. You're a braver man than me to put a specific ID to these, I find them very tricky.

Very nice work.

Hi Alan,
I like your hopper very much.
Perfect DOF, POV and light.
Sitting like a model on a perfect leave.
You have done a very good job, thanks
Sabine - wishnugaruda

Great capture Alan. A well composed shot with excellent light, colors, DOF and details..I like the bold frame, it works well here. Very well done!

Hi Alan,
Wonderful capture today! The black eye contrasts beautifully with all the green. Great DOF too!

Have a great week, my friend!

Alli

This is a stunning photo, Alan. Everything about it.. composition, color, detail, light is perfect. Inspirational! Exceptionally done :-) Thanks for sharing this wonderful photo.

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4432 W: 248 N: 4028] (13270)
  • [2005-08-15 3:49]

Hello Alan!
Perfect macro.Crisp clear details,sharpness,POV,colors and composition are excellent.TFS...:-)

Hi Alan, now that's a SHARP photo! Amazing detail. Composition, DOF, and lighting are excellent. The only things that I think are distracting are the little white spots in the BG and the bright leaf below the one the hopper is sitting on. Minor details in an outstanding photograph. TFS

  • Great 
  • phlr Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1237 W: 130 N: 882] (2821)
  • [2005-08-15 6:41]

What a PERFECT PHOTO!
So bright!
Wonderful colors and details!
Above scale photo!

  • Great 
  • naki Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor [C: 382 W: 27 N: 5] (40)
  • [2005-08-15 14:43]

Hello Alan,
Very good close-up. Fine details, lively, saturated colours and very good composition. Good DoF and lighting too.
Very good work.

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2636 W: 74 N: 9091] (31094)
  • [2005-08-15 17:06]

Like image from fairy tales Alan. Very calm and green, with great composition and details. I don't like grasshoppers very much but your looks superb.

  • Great 
  • livios Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2150 W: 319 N: 4263] (16942)
  • [2005-08-15 17:50]

Alan, excellent sharpness, pov and composition.

I do enjoy the green shades all around.

Great bg too.

An excellent photo.

  • Great 
  • jossim Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1538 W: 5 N: 2240] (12636)
  • [2005-08-15 22:26]

Superbes couleurs, la netteté et l'éclairage sont parfaits.

félicitations !

Wow... move over Jiminy Cricket there's a new boy on block! Awesome Alan! No nits here. This is simply perfect!! Thanks.

  • Great 
  • Luc Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1835 W: 301 N: 4287] (14767)
  • [2005-08-16 8:06]

Hi Alan, I have no time to write a decent comment. I give to you the well deserved smiley.

Day thought:
I have something in my heart which tickles my soul. (Luc)

Thank you for sharing pictures and notes and for the enjoyment which they give to me.

Hello Alan!
Very nice close up again.This one is also razor sharp and clear.POV is better then todays.I liked composition very much.Thanks for sharing.

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