Linda (Shoreacres but in this case Lagniappe) posted a nice article with very nice images about the Grass Pink orchid that you can see here if not already a subscriber. Well worth taking a look. I mentioned having a couple of pictures with insects upon the flowers which she asked to see and am sharing them having not done so previously.
They are fairly old at this point and are natural history shots rather than art…although one can be the other.
Bush Katydid nymph on Grass Pink
Early instar grasshopper on Grass Pink
Grass Pinks are sill about a month away here but maybe I’ll get lucky and find some more visitors on them once I am able to visit them.
Stephen Gingold Nature Photography Blog 
I’ve never seen a Grass Pink orchid. I hope you find more of them this year. A couple of the petals look nibbled on. Maybe they are as yummy as they are pretty.
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They do occur in OK as shown in this USDA map. What you are seeing is the lip of the orchid (in this plant they are reversed as ordinarily the orchid’s lip is at the bottom) that had snapped down as a result of either the grasshopper or some other insect landing. When this happens pollen is distributed on the insect who then moves along to distribute it on another Grass Pink, hopefully. So rather than nibbles, it has snapped after snapping. 🙂
Orchid flowers do show up on salads or as plate garnishes so maybe they are tasty.
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I learned a lot here! Thank you for explaining!
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Awesome. Thanks, Lori. It’s not often I get to share more than a picture. 🙂
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I just now had time to research this and expand the map showing the area in Oklahoma – these are located in counties in the very SE part of the state. I’m in Caddo county which is in the central to SW part of the state. I bet it’s too hot and dry here for them to survive. The SE part of the state is lush and very green.
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You are most likely correct. They do require moist ground.
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I think, Steve, that your photos, especially the first one, are definitely art. I love capturing images of insects on flowers and you have done a wonderful job with both (and the water drops are a nice bonus).
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Thanks, Mike. I am an incurable pixel peeper so very critical of the sharpness, especially with the hopper. I am almost always out before sunrise and in a meadow while the dew is still heavy so capture moisture a lot. And that is also a cooler time when the insects are rather torpid so better models too.
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Nice Steve! Love the detail and colors!
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Thanks, Reed. These flowers are very lovely and, of course, adding insects is a bonus.
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Linda does some marvelous nature photography and accompanying poetry. That said, I never tire of seeing insects on blooms. Very nice.
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Thanks, Bob. Yes, Linda does very well capturing images, both flowers and insects. Her writing is something I greatly admire.
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Nice cooperation 1500 miles and years apart. I find both portraits to be good.
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Thanks, Steve. The internet certainly makes the distance less of a problem.
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It’s nice to have both a grasshopper and katydid to admire, and I’d say your photos of both qualify as artful. I finally realized a while back that antennae length is one way to distinguish them, and that’s really obvious here. The grasshopper looks like he’s atop a diving board, ready to spring off.
I actually found my first adult katydid last week, but only its rear end was sticking out from beneath crossed leaves.I tried this way and that to get it to come out and visit, but even vibrating the leaves didn’t do the trick. The earlier instars seem more sociable; perhaps they’re only more naive.
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Yeah, those kids haven’t developed much sense yet. Some are more tolerant than others. Katydids have some awesome antennae.
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Have you ever seen one cleaning its antennae? I’ve found a couple of nymphs doing that, and it’s really cute.
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Yes, and so did you…here. 🙂
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Oh, my. That was worth the link not only because it refreshed my memory, but also because of the story of the worm.
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Yeah, it’s a good memory and we were very happy that it stayed in his beard and hadn’t fallen into dinner.
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Beautiful flower and bugs, Steve. Always a nice combination.
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Thanks, Pete. They are naturals together and you have shared some nice ones.
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Cool macros, Steve. I’ve come to appreciate insects more from seeing them through close-up photos, one of the many gifts of blogging. 🙂
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Insects are so important to our ecosystems and it’s a shame that many don’t appreciate ior value them. I used to have quite a menagerie to enjoy but when our neighbor moved in and started his lawn worship that took care of that. Thanks, Eliza.
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I’m late here, but I also have to say that they’re both terrific shots. both as portrait studies and as art. Bush katydids are just so fascinating!
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Glad that you made it, Gary. Thanks! I really like katydids but often can’t identify what I see when they are young. I was told that the only way to get an accurate ID was to do a genital dissection. Sometimes knowledge is unnecessary…especially from the katydid’s point of view.
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Beautiful color in these. It really helps the insects stand out. And I agree completely, natural history and art can easily overlap.
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That overlap is always my goal although not always attained. Thanks, Todd.
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Great bug shots! You must have gotten an early start, and caught ’em in the bedroom.
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Yep, the early bird etc. It’s much easier while they are in repose and often they are bejeweled with dew.
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