Image: Flight of the Locust
‘I was photographing a pair of eagles that breed in the botanical garden in Gauteng, South Africa, when I noticed hundreds of locusts in the air, on what seemed to be a migration. I finally managed to photograph an individual in flight as it passed over my head.’
The green milkweed locust is a strong flier. When it spreads its wings, the bright colours of its hindwings are revealed to warn predators it tastes horrible. In fact, these locusts are poisonous and people have died after eating them.
Technical details
Canon EOS-1D Mark II + Canon EF 300mm f4 IS USM lens; 1/4000 sec at f5.6; ISO 400.
- Photographer:
- Chris van Rooyen
- Rights:
- © Chris van Rooyen
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