Eden Gardens Photographer | That Son-of-a-… I mean… Southern Lubber

So – I had to share this all on it’s own, because it certainly is worthy of it.  I actually photographed him while out at Eden Gardens doing a child portrait session.  I seem to come across something new & interesting at all my sessions.  And Eden Gardens is no exception – in fact, it’s full of wildlife!  Meet my new friend: Southern Lubber. I had to look it up, and this is what I believe is commonly referred to as a Southern Lubber Grasshopper, or if you’re actually from the south, you just call it a “Big Ass Grasshopper”:

Get close – does he not look like he’s talking!? I swear he’s saying “What YOU doing on my walkway?!” Make no mistake, if he looks small it’s b/c you *think* he’s small – but he’s as long as a brick is wide. Hes HUGE in other words. He was as long as my foot was wide. And I know this because HE stepped on ME.

Gosh, I just can’t get enough of this big fella. I mean, I’m sure in some country somewhere, this is like a TBone Steak size grasshopper! (Which, BTW, I actually have eaten chocolate covered grasshoppers before, ewwww. And NO they’re NOT good!)

Ok, ok, last one… I promise, then we can go back to business as usual:

Ok, so to *me* it looks like he’s just talking in one pic, and he’s screaming in another. Apparantly, my friends disagree & they say that’s a clue I’m under far too much stress when I imagine bugs yelling at me. *shrug*
But – I do admit, I failed to get a picture of the black widow we found on our window (don’t worry – she was on the outside & I didn’t smash the window to pieces).

So… next time you’re out at Eden Gardens, keep your eyes open, and watch your step.  And if you’ve never been out to Eden Gardens, WHOA you are missing one BEAUTIFUL place (despite the icky grasshoppers).  It’s a beautiful southern historic mansion, set on the water, with lush green grass, a beautiful garden, and a fantastically large oak tree often referred to as the Wedding Tree.  We’ve done many a weddings there, and it is my absolutely favorite location.  We go there for all kinds of sessions, engagement, wedding, bridal, you name it – it is just absolutely divine!!!