Grasshopper on Devil's Bit Scabious

On a cold blustery day recently I was about to draw a complete blank when the sun came out briefly and I noticed a grasshopper on a blade of grass. As I approached for a closer look it hopped onto this flower stem at which point the sun went in and it started to rain. I braved the rain and took a number of shots of it sitting there for me. I think I'm right in saying that the grasshopper is a Lesser Marsh Grasshopper - Chorthippus albomarginatus. I also found out that my 40D and Sigma 150 can actually get quite wet without causing any problems

Canon 40D with Sigma 150, f10, 1/200, ISO 400.

Here's a slightly larger version.

All C+C welcomed

Matt

Impressive shot considering the conditions, the sigma 150mm is a legend.

Nice one

Tim

Matt, I agree with your ID; I thought the same before I read your message. The white wing-stripe isn't a conclusive characteristic, but together with the ridge on the pronotum (marked by the white stripe that goes from the eye to the base of the wing), which is straight, I'd say it's a clear case. And of course, this is a female.

Ok, enough with the boring lecture already

This is fantastic image! The less-than-ideal conditions certainly don't show; great details, good bg, and perfect pose. Even the perch is very pretty. And I'm glad nothing happened to your gear! Excellent capture!

Very nice Matt, great perch and good bg all you could ask for, I am beginning to wonder if we will ever get rid of the blustery winds having just looked at the forcast for the week ahead.
Well done for getting this in less that ideal conditions.

Nice and sharp with a great background.

Don't get that 40D too wet - it may keep working but I've had both top and back LCD displays decide to stop working in the past. Yes they came back on again in the end but not sure I'd risk it. We use Optech rainsleeves which are surprisingly robust and you get 2 for £5 in a packet.

I love the composition and the line of the flower stem,the detail in the grasshopper is great,with lovely colours,very nice image

Very nice indeed Matt considering the conditions. Lovely clean b/g and good colour in the flower to set it off.

Fran

Lovely shot Matt

good composition and background

That's a cracker Matt. The overcast conditions probably helped the shot but you could have done without the rain.

Tim

Yep, like it. Might be tempted to clone out the stray (?)hair on the antenna, that apart, a good solid comp combines well with the attractive subject elements.

Cheers,
Chris

Works really well for me too, agree about the 'hair'. I have the sigma 180mm and I should really use it and learn to improve my techniques then I may get slightly closer to this quality !

Drew

Very nice indeed and a lovely background to boot

Beautiful image, Matt. Well composed, sharp and lovely colours.

Now, I like the hair, it adds that touch of individuality to the subject. Beautiful comp, details, colour and BG.

Lovely image, really very nice

Very clean and simple and very effective too.

Andy...

Hello Matt.

Lovely image and the colour range through out works perfectly.

many thanks for the comments

Matt