Comments on: Ever seen a grasshopper chew?

By: Amber Coakley

Amber Coakley — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 04:02:52 +0000

No, no video on the D300. I’m really interested in trying my hand at video, but that will have to wait for a little while. I’ve got my eye on one of the HD camcorders that record to hard disc. Maybe for Christmas…

By: Larry Jordan

Larry Jordan — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:55:37 +0000

Very cool Amber. I love the animated GIF but doesn’t the D300 have video capability?

The damselflies are gorgeous.

By: Amber Coakley

Amber Coakley — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 02:51:17 +0000

Hi Rebecca,
I use a Nikon D300 with a 300mm f2.8 lens – sometimes with a 1.7 teleconverter. I usually carry a second camera around my neck, a Nikon D80. I use it with a standard 17-55mm lens for scenery shots. Thanks for the props, and I’m delighted that you like Birder’s Lounge!

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:05:03 +0000

What kind of camera do you use? your photos are really terrific, and your blog is really wonderful. Thank you!

By: jason

jason — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:33:41 +0000

DEEE-lightful! I’m big on insects and am always glad to see them. In the Midwest differential grasshoppers (Melanoplus differentialis) are agricultural pests. Down here they’re just big and fun. I love that you can see her palps and mandibles working together. (Not sure if she’s eating or bathing, but the animation is VERY COOL nonetheless.)

Same species in the second one. I probably don’t have to point out which is the male and which is the female…

I wish I could help on the dragonfly and the damselflies. The dragonfly looks like a glider (genus Pantala). I’m guessing, though. The damselflies are either bluets or dancers (probably dancers; genus Argia), but they have to be keyed because there are so many species and many of the differences are subtle (you’d need good lateral and dorsal views, and sometimes even that won’t help). Still, great shot of a little damselfly hanky-panky!