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Stowaway Hoppers!
July 15, 2006
Here's another shot from my Wind in the Willows Weekend at Joan's in Charlottesville. Joan is the consummate hostess. I'd kyaked only once before way back in high school. It was during my family's time in Europe, and the youth group I attended kyaked down a river in Belgium for a day.
Me and my partner? We capsized while sailing over the tiniest of waterfalls.
(I didn't mention this to Joan as she had given me her camera and was trusting me with her husband's kyak... and I really really wanted to go.)
But I'm rambling... back to the story... Joan's the consummate hostess ~ she got my kyak into the water first, let me get my hiney situated and comfortable, and then helped push me out onto the river. Only ~ I wasn't immediately adept at paddling yet and steered myself straight into some tall grass that was growing on the shore. Unbeknownst to me, I picked up about 8 teeny weeny grasshoppers who stowed away with me!
Isn't he the cutest, handsomest grasshopper you ever did see? (You may recall I posted not long ago about how much I love bugs.)
Within seconds, they were hopping all over the lip of the kyak, winking and flirting with me... and fascinatingly enough, they all ~ one by one ~ headed to the front of the kyak and crawled onto the black handle you use to pull it around with. Basically, it was a front-row ticket for a scenic cruise of the Rivanna River.
Seven of them hung in for the long haul up there for what? about an hour and a half, while a rascally one hopped down into the kayak and sat atop of my big toe for a spell ~ and when the trip finally ended, they all hopped back into the grass with amazing tales to tell about green egrets and deer, and paddling through the shallow creek water. They weren't quite sure where they were going, but decided they'd make the best of the situation and enjoy the ride... only to miraculously find themselves safe at home right where they started from.
Posted by vincent at July 15, 2006 09:05 PM
Comments
He really is quite handsome. And very very green.
Posted by: candy at July 16, 2006 08:28 AM
You have got the makings of a wonderful little book about the odyssey of the grasshoppers here ... I want to hear what they told their families when they got home!! And last night I heard them calling to you. They're waiting for you down by the river!!
Posted by: jzr at July 16, 2006 08:33 AM
isn't she just the loveliest shade of green...
Posted by: la vie en rose at July 16, 2006 03:23 PM
The essence of a photographer...
Posted by: dan at July 17, 2006 12:54 AM
Wind in the Willows Weekend. It could be the title of a whimsical book. He is just the most handsome grasshopper I have ever seen and has an inquisitive personality as well. Your portrait presents him as an intelligent fellow as well.
Posted by: janet at July 20, 2006 11:49 AM
What a great story! (I'm returning from being away a lot these last few months, and catching up with your posts.) I'll bet those world-travelling hoppers get great reception on those antennae!
Posted by: Wandering Willow at August 1, 2006 05:10 PM