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locust


locust
Photo Information
Copyright: clint newsham (clint) Silver Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 40 W: 0 N: 238] (1351)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006
Categories: Insects
Camera: Konica Minolta Maxxum 5D, Sigma 105 F2.8 Macro.
Exposure: f/8, 1/800 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-01-11 17:05
Viewed: 748
Favorites: 3 [view]
Points: 22
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Locust is the name given to the swarming phase of short-horned grasshoppers of the family Acrididae. The origins and apparent extinction of certain species of locust—some of which reach 6 inches (15 cm) in length—are unclear.

These are species that can breed rapidly under suitable conditions and subsequently become gregarious and migratory. They form bands as nymphs and swarms as adults- both of which can travel great distances, rapidly stripping fields and greatly damaging crops.

Some examples of Locust species are:-

Migratory locust (Locusta migratoria)
Red locust (Nomadracis septemfasciata)
Australian plague locust (Chortoicetes terminifera)
American desert locust (Schistocerca Americana)
Desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria), probably the most important in terms of its very wide distribution (North Africa, Middle East, and Indian subcontinent) and its ability to migrate very widely.
Rocky Mountain locust (Melanoplus spretus) in North America had some of the largest recorded swarms, but mysteriously died out in the late 19th century.
Though the female and the male look alike they can be distinguished by looking at the end of their abdomen. The male has a boat-shaped tip while the female has two serrated valves that can be either apart or kept together. These valves aid in the digging of the hole in which an egg pod is deposited.

after a little research, i beleive this is a Desert Locust, Schistocerca gregaria, but i could be wrong.

some of you have asked how i do these shots, so i will try to explain as best as possible.
a lot of insect i find are not in a very photogenic area and there is a lot of clutter in the background.
i try to entice them onto a prop of my choice, in this case a large long leaf.
i then move them into a brightly lit area and use the grass or ivy on a fence as a background, if you are far enough away and use an f stop of f7.1 to f11 it will blur out nicely.
after the shoot, usualy no longer than 5 minuites i return the insect to the place that i found it.
post processing of these images is a simple matter of dodge an burn to create the vignette around the subject.
hope this helps
Tamrock, manyee, horia, meyerd, uleko, nimou, maheshpatil, SkyF has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

hi clint!
so very very beautiful macro!
perfect in my eyes on all ways
very well done

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3065 W: 231 N: 5834] (19602)
  • [2007-01-12 2:47]

What an incredible looking grasshopper, Clint.
The colors and markings on it are fantastic.
He looks like a Samurai warrior to me. : )
Focus is excellent.
Splendid composition and light.
TFS. : )

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2044 W: 212 N: 3655] (12162)
  • [2007-01-12 3:42]

Hi Clint

Another fantastic macro work from you!
This little locust looks amazing with all its colors, patterns and textures - shown exceptionaly here.
I really like that on this one you elaborated your note and explained your technique that i have to say was a mistery to me too. Aparently, i wasn't too much of a big deal, but the outcome sure is, for all the photos are brilliant!
Great work!

Bravo and TFS
horia

Dear Clint,

The pic perfect in every imaginable way for TN. Your detailed note is the cherry on the cake. I pay my respect (and then I dream of a nice insect coming my way to try your technique!).

P.S. I tend to agree on Schistocerca gregaria, gregarious phase.

Greetings, Dietrich

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2375 W: 164 N: 7131] (22536)
  • [2007-01-12 6:25]

Hello Clint,
Another great shot from you - this time a beautiful grasshopper. Razor sharp, excellent focus and lovely colours. I love your backgrounds but at times they border on the unnatural - it is a delicate business to PP but it certainly makes the subject stand out.
TFS and regards, Ulla

Hi Clint :)
great macro. Excellent POV, DOF and colors. Well done!
regards
Dorota

Hi Clint,
Excellant capture.Very well exposed as your previous shot. (How do you manage the exposure? do you use flash?) Amazing details considering its tiny bosy.Yello color lks great on uniform dark green background. It gonna be my favotire.

regards
Mahesh

  • Great 
  • nimou Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 153 W: 1 N: 678] (3153)
  • [2007-01-12 9:35]

Absolut, really good comme4nt and macro. To faves

  • Great 
  • SkyF Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2390 W: 194 N: 1991] (8113)
  • [2007-01-12 15:39]

Hi Clint,
fabulous shot, the sharpness and the details are incredible. I love the BG it shows of this hopper off so well without any distractions.
TFS..Sky

  • Great 
  • Luis52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1015 W: 5 N: 2758] (10010)
  • [2007-01-12 20:36]

Hola Clint.- Estoy asombrado cuando veo esta foto, muy nitida y con un fondo en verde exelente, pero mas que nada la iluminacion de este pequeño "Saltamontes". Felicidades Luis52.

Hi Clint.
This is beautiful macro.colors, DOF and focusing are very good.

TFS.

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