On a warm August morning at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma, I spotted an American Birdwing Grasshopper on a stalk of grass. Its bold stripes and long wings stood out in the sun. This is one of the most striking grasshoppers in the southern United States. The species is known for strong flight that can look like a small bird darting through a field.
Wildlife Notes
American Birdwing Grasshoppers live in grasslands and open fields where they feed on many grasses. They sometimes get a bad reputation for damaging crops. Still, they play an important role in the food chain as prey for birds, reptiles, and small mammals. Up close, I saw how the body pattern camouflages against stems, giving them cover when still.
Photography Notes
This photo was taken with a Canon EOS R7 and the Canon RF 100–500mm F4.5–7.1 L IS USM lens. My camera settings were:
- Aperture: ƒ/8
- Shutter Speed: 1/1250
- ISO: 500
The fast shutter speed was essential. Grasshoppers leap away at the slightest movement.
Photographing grasshoppers is a challenge because they are alert and wary. They notice movement long before you get close. I approached slowly and used the telephoto reach of the lens to frame the insect without casting a shadow. Shooting at ƒ/8 kept the grasshopper sharp while letting the background blur into soft green tones.
If you want to photograph insects like this, patience helps. Look for them early in the morning when they are less active and light is softer. A telephoto lens lets you capture detail without spooking the subject. A high shutter speed will freeze any sudden movement.
good photograph