Grasshopper on Pickup Truck at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge

A grasshopper on pickup truck hood is not something I plan for. But at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, these small moments often find me.

This one came during a summer drive on the auto tour road in Oklahoma.

Grasshopper resting on the hood of my pickup truck at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge — A grasshopper rode along on the hood of my pickup during a summer drive at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge.

Grasshopper on Pickup Truck at Sequoyah

I photographed this grasshopper on July 23, 2023, at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma.

Large numbers of grasshoppers had been showing up at the refuge that summer. That earlier surge led me to write A Grasshopper Explosion and Grasshoppers in Oklahoma.

This grasshopper landed on the hood of my pickup and stayed there for a while.

I liked the way it looked against the smooth surface of the truck. The close view showed its color, wings, and spiny legs. It was a simple scene, but it had plenty of detail.

Small insects are easy to overlook on a wildlife drive. This one made sure I noticed it.

Summer Insects Along the Refuge Auto Tour Road

The grasshopper was not the only insect visitor that morning.

A couple of cicadas also found their way inside my pickup cab. I had the windows down while driving the refuge road. That must have been enough of an invitation.

Cicada sitting inside my pickup during a summer wildlife drive in Oklahoma — One of the cicadas that made its way inside my pickup while I drove the refuge road.

The cicada photos were quick phone snapshots. They are not as sharp as the grasshopper photo, but they add to the story of the morning.

Small cicada inside my pickup cab during a drive at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge — A smaller cicada joined the ride after I left the windows down.

That drive turned into a reminder that wildlife photography is not always about distant subjects. Sometimes the subject lands right on the truck.

Photographing a Small Hitchhiker from the Driver’s Seat

For the grasshopper photo, I used my Canon EOS R5 with the Canon RF 100-500 mm lens. The long focal length helped me frame the insect closely without crowding it.

The light was good enough for a fast shutter speed. That helped keep the details sharp while the grasshopper stayed on the hood.

Camera 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 23, 2023, 08:44 A.M.
Aperture: f/8
Shutter speed: 1/800
ISO: 320, Auto
Exposure compensation: +0.3
Focal length: 500 mm

I enjoy these odd little encounters. They are part of what makes each trip through the refuge different.

This grasshopper did not need a dramatic pose or rare behavior. It just needed a place to ride for a while.