It was late July in eastern Oklahoma, and the refuge roads were alive with movement. I had been walking the service roads at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge when I noticed a real grasshopper explosion.
Every few steps sent grasshoppers jumping from the gravel and roadside cover.
Grasshopper Explosion Along the Refuge Roads
I have walked these same refuge roads for years. This time, the number of grasshoppers stood out right away.
They were along the gravel roads, in the grass, and on plant stems near the road edges. Each step seemed to set off another burst of movement.
I was not able to confirm the exact species in the field. Some may have been red-legged grasshoppers or differential grasshoppers, but I would need a closer look to be sure.
Grasshoppers are a normal part of the summer scene in Oklahoma. Still, this many in one area made me wonder what was going on.
Was weather part of it? Were predators keeping up with them? Was this just a local boom along the refuge roads?
I followed up with more notes about grasshoppers in Oklahoma after this encounter.
Photographing a Grasshopper in Morning Light
This grasshopper gave me a clean look while it clung to a green plant stem. The simple perch helped separate it from the soft green background.
The long lens let me work from a comfortable distance. I could frame the insect tightly without crowding it.
The photo was made in the morning, while the light was still pleasant for close wildlife work.
Equipment and settings:
- Camera: Canon EOS R5
- Lens: Canon RF 100-500 mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
- Location: Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma
- Date and time: July 18, 2023, 08:25 A.M.
- Aperture: f/7.1
- Shutter speed: 1/800
- ISO: 500, Auto
- Exposure compensation: 0
- Focal length: 500 mm
Why This Hopping Scene Held My Attention
A grasshopper is easy to overlook when there is larger wildlife nearby. But a sudden jump in numbers can change the feel of a morning walk.
This encounter reminded me to pay attention to small shifts on the refuge. Sometimes the smallest subjects tell me something is happening in the habitat.
On this July morning, the roads at Sequoyah were not quiet. They were hopping.