When a Grasshopper Contemplates


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I broke from transcribing for my post office walk and found a point of meditation....

About an hour before sunset I keyed open my PO Box. Pulled out the water bill, bank statement, catalogues. The service desk was closed; I was the only one inside.

I brought my pile to a large gray counter set by a plate glass window, where the grasshopper caught my eye. I gazed on its underside, and the sky beyond, and whipped out the camera that I now carry with me almost every time I leave the house. Snapped a shot through the glass.


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Then I left everything but the camera on the counter and rushed outside.

I have not seen any lubbers this year; instead I've seen these fellows. If/when the lubbers return I will do my best to get a shot of one that really shows off its carapace, because they are downright psychedelic.

But there is beauty in just plain green, too.

(After-post addition: The photo up top has been chosen for the Green is Beautiful group blog. I've recently joined and am experiencing the joys of Flickr.)