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Birth of a grasshopper


Birth of a grasshopper
Photo Information
Copyright: Subhrojyoti Banerjee (subhrojyoti) Silver Note Writer [C: 3 W: 0 N: 32] (190)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-05-03
Categories: Insects
Camera: Canon 40 D, Canon EF 100 mm F2.8 Macro USM, Sigma EX Multi-coated UV 58mm
Exposure: f/10.0, 1/100 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-05-08 5:05
Viewed: 458
Points: 6
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
My guide drew my attention to this hatching grasshopper which we noticed while our way down from Chokurmoody peak (Munnar, India). I was quite lucky and intrigued to witness this wonderful natural phenomena. I wanted to wait and watch the entire activity but I had time against me.

In spring the emergence of hatching grasshoppers may be readily observed. All embryos of a single pod usually wriggle out one after another within several minutes. Once out, they immediately shed an embryonic membrane called the serosa. An individual hatchling, lying on its side or back and squirming, takes only a few minutes to free itself. During this time the hatchlings are susceptible to predation by ants. After the shedding of the membrane the young grasshoppers stand upright and are able to jump away and escape attacking predators. In spring, young grasshoppers have available green and nutritious host plants and can be both grass or mixed feeders.

I would have liked a better bokeh but due to the odd angle I was not able to get the entire insect in focus with a wider aperture. Furthemore I didn't want to remove the surrounding bushes and get down to a better POV since the grasshopper was already starting to show signs of discomfort of my presence. Didn't find it ethical to disturb it's moment of birth and triumph.
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Subhrojyoti,
Fantastic macro, great control of light and a perfect level of detail. The colors look natural and sharp. Good job. Congratulations!
Jesús

HI,
good work, fine colors and simple too. tfs.
nagraj.v

  • Great 
  • roges Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 604 W: 0 N: 529] (3120)
  • [2009-05-08 7:46]

Hi Subhrojyoti !

Exceptional macro.
I like the contrast of colors and photo playback. Congratulations.
A beautiful day,
Adrian

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