Katydid in October

Feeds:: Posts; Comments

Katydid in October

October 21, 2020 by Mike Powell

I was absolutely delighted to spot this Handsome Meadow Katydid (Orchelimum pulchellum) last week when I visited Huntley Meadows Park with fellow dragonfly enthusiast Walter Sanford. Some of you may recall that this colorful katydid is my favorite insect. The katydid, which appears to be a female, was sunning herself on the raised edge of the boardwalk that runs through the marshland at this park. I love the way she is sprawled out with her body fully extended, forcing me to take a panorama-style shot to capture her portrait.

If you look carefully, you may note that “wood” of the boardwalk is actually an artificial composite material. For me this is a real benefit, because I don’t get splinters when I lie down on the boardwalk, as I am wont to do to get certain shots. However, I have learned from past experience that this surface gets really slick when there is frost or ice.

Posted in Autumn, Insects, Nature, Photography, wildlife | Tagged Alexandria VA, boardwalk, Canon 50D, Handsome Meadow Katydid, Huntley Meadows Park, Orchelimum pulchellum, Tamron 150-600mm | 12 Comments

12 Responses

on October 21, 2020 at 11:36 am | Reply Molly Lin Dutina

Love it! Be careful out there!
on October 21, 2020 at 11:36 am | Reply Molly Lin Dutina

Love it! Be careful out there!
on October 21, 2020 at 11:55 am | Reply picpholio

So not only the Katydid takes a sunbath there 😉
- on October 21, 2020 at 4:35 pm | Reply Reed Andariese
  
  Very nice Mike! Great image!
  - on October 22, 2020 at 5:35 am Mike Powell
    
    Thanks, Reed. I just love those rainbow colors on this insect.
on October 21, 2020 at 11:57 am | Reply Wally Jones

One of my favorite insects, too.

I am all for anything that doesn’t produce splinters!

Nice “panorama”, Mike!
- on October 22, 2020 at 5:37 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Wally. I too enjoy the lack of splinters, but somehow can’t seem to avoid the thorns when I am wandering in the wild.
on October 22, 2020 at 5:09 am | Reply krikitarts

I’ve loved every chance I’ve had to see these and hope for a few more, if things over there ever get back to approximate what we used to take for granted.
- on October 22, 2020 at 5:31 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Gary. I share your hopes and desires for a return to what we used to call “normalcy.”
on October 23, 2020 at 4:48 am | Reply Steve Gingold

It is handsome indeed, Mike. I’ve seen a few meadow katydids but not this species.
- on October 23, 2020 at 7:59 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Steve. I think this is one of the cases in which the insect’s name seems to be a perfect fit.
  - on October 23, 2020 at 10:02 am Steve Gingold
    
    With that beautiful blue eye, yes indeed.