Thanks. I didn't think they came out very good myself but it was so darned hard to get DOWN there to snap anything worthwhile with my macro and it was so incredibly H-O-T and humid yesterday. I told my husband I must've lost 5 pounds just in the time I spent looking at the buggers and then running in to get the camera and attempting to get even one decent shot. He was taking a nap, trying to stay cool. I finally got him to come out and look at the little guys and he was amazed too, at the number of 'em. Today I am trying to catch 'em to feed to my Leopard Gecko and Bearded Dragon. :) (yesterday I smooshed 'em)

Yup, those little ghoppers can be a pain. Ive caught them eating my leaves before for many plants. I know that its not good to spray products such as raid and other bug killers, but heck, I did whenever I saw them and they seem to have almost disappeared (once last year). Sometimes it just throws them out of whack with a light mist of it, and BLAM! hit them with a shovel. Of course, never near any of my edible plants! For that I usually just hose them off the plant and they leave. Yeah, those grasshoppers know not to be around after Ive been sitting in traffic for over an hour when I get home!

I just came in from checking my tomato plants, where I was just looking at one of those little boogers MUNCHING on a green tomato! And right next to it was ANOTHER one munching on a big green tomato also. It was about an inch and a half long, green, and had red on it's hind legs, the large thigh area. Don't know what kind it is ... but I have seen more grasshopper varities this year, than ever before. I was very dismayed last night to find a couple of holes in a just ripening German Queen Heritage tomato, that I had been anticipating tasting. Never had a heritage tomato plant before, and I am very annoyed! I haven't done any pesticide spraying, and don't want to. I guess I'll just need to "hover" over the plants, and slap those grasshoppers silly!

Hi Heather Yes they do look like bigger budgies this one kept fluffing itself up, fascinating to watch. Hi Greencroc yes they are a beautiful bird this one kept running up and down the railings. A real mover and shaker and kept it up for about 10 minutes, a joy to see. Great drop of rain we got 61mm that will keep the plants looking good for a while. Cheers..MM.