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Death in a Package


Death in a Package
Photo Information
Copyright: Callie de Wet (Callie) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1243 W: 106 N: 2606] (7501)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-12-09
Categories: Insects
Camera: Nikon D70, Sigma 80-400 OS
Exposure: f/11, 1/60 seconds
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Class Arachnida, scorpions of the world [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2005-01-23 11:29
Viewed: 2004
Points: 30
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Drop for drop, scorpion venoms are comparable with the most venomous neurotoxins produced by snakes, and are only surpassed by certain bacterial toxins! However, the strength and amount of toxin injected plays an important role in the affect of the poison on the victim. Venom from the majority of scorpions are harmless to man. In southern Africa, all medically important scorpions belong to the familyButhidae - these are all scorpions with small or weak pinchers and thick tails - the genus Parabutus are the most toxic.

All scorpions have neurotoxic venom. This means that the venom affects parts of the nervous system such as blood-pressure, breathing, muscular co-ordination and circulation. A scorpion sting is always extremely painful, unlike spider bites, which we often do not notice.

Barring snakes and bees, scorpions kill more humans annually than any other non-parasitic animals on earth! There are 25 species of scorpions that are known to have caused human deaths. Annually, around 5 000 people die from scorpion stings. On average, 1 696 deaths are recorded in Mexico each year. In southern Africa, we have three culprit species responsible for the small number of deaths recorded. If the nervous system has already been compromised, it is possible that a sting from any of our Parabutus species may result in human death.

We have 20 Parabutus species in southern Africa, found predominantly in arid to semi-arid regions. These are large scorpions, varying between 70 and 180 mm in length. As stated, they are the most venomous of our scorpions, and are generaly found in sandy regions with a rainfall of less than 600 mm annually.

This guy I recon is Parabutus raudus - more about him tomorrow.

SHOOTING DETAILS
Venue – Twee Rivieren Rest Camp
Date 9th December 2004
Time 19h21
Camera - Nikon D70
ISO 320 & -2 EV.
Sigma 80-400 F4.5- 5.6 APO OS
Filter – Cokin UV
Focal length - 400 mm.
Exposure mode - Aperture Priority – 1/60 @ F11 and spotlight held by my wife.
Flash – Balanced i-TTL off camera and SB800
Support – Handheld
PP – bit of cropping; hue/ saturation; some USM; reduced to Site size.
Leace, ellis49, thistle, NitzanCK, carper, jhm, marhowie, PDP, Janice, willie, gerhardt, red45, Robbrown, evanrizo has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To jhm: Thanks, and some infoCallie 1 01-23 13:57
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Critiques [Translate]

Great post Callie.
I will not play with that one ;-)
It's maybe not your best photo,
but with the great note is a excellent work.
I'm glad I live in Sweden, we haven't any poisen scorpions and snakes except one viper who is not deadly.
Great work

Very nice little insect, I#d like to play with this one :-))

Nice shot, focus a bit soft.
TFS.

Very interesting post!
I agree that the photo isn'n maybe perfect, but the note is very good and because of that I like your post very much.
Same as Gert I'm really glad that I live in my country. In summer I can walk without shoes even when I am in forest. All what can bite me is viper or wood ant, but vipers hardly ever attack people and the bites of ants are even less paintful than mosquitos ;-)
After read your note I think that in Africa it is better to wear shoes all the time ;-)
Thanks for posting

Evel insect!
The photo is'nt sharp enough and the POV is'nt the best.
The head should be more in focus.
But the not is excellent, I learned a lot.

Nice photo Callie
Thanks for posting

ek sal nagmerries kry van die ding.. Ek hou nie soveel van bugs en goed nie.. gelukkig klim hynie van my skerm af nie ;)

  • Great 
  • carper Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2192 W: 124 N: 2599] (8406)
  • [2005-01-23 13:27]

That something else then wild photo shots, wauw Callie, what a creap, very good capture you did, good composing shot, good colours and a nice balance and ofcoarse an extreme good note very good job Callie

  • Great 
  • jhm Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 660 W: 0 N: 178] (626)
  • [2005-01-23 13:48]
  • [+]

Opnieuw een mooie foto van deze schorpioen Callie, en de aanpassing met de grond voor de camouflage is duidelijk te zien, dood of levend is de foto eveneens mooi.
groeten,
John.

Callie, Nice shot of this not so likeable creature. We've got loads around here in the summer..After seeing yours I'm going to make it a point to hunt one down myself! Excellent notes..TFS!!

  • Great 
  • PDP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2951 W: 366 N: 3779] (11763)
  • [2005-01-23 16:28]

I'm glad you've continued on the scorpions, I was keen to see more after your last post. I like the streched out pose I wonder if the head is a little soft in focus, but not a major niggle. Good shot and note.

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3464 W: 145 N: 5943] (17792)
  • [2005-01-23 20:33]

This little creature is such a big baddy? Thanks for showing this Callie and for the notes as well. You wouldn't want to mess with this one. Please keep it over there.

Well seen Callie. These guys are normally only seen after you fely their sting. Good work

Thanx Callie. This is a really bad critter. I found a little one last week in the house. Spoke to people living here for ages. None have seen one in these parts. Strange...

I don't think it's soft or OOF. I think the unusual (but natural) BG creates the impression that it looks soft. I think you did a great job with our 1st scorpion for the site.

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2816 W: 75 N: 7977] (26975)
  • [2005-01-24 5:40]

Dangerous and beautiful. I like scorpions [on photos :-)]. I hope you send more of those interesting arachnids Callie.

Nice one Callie, I heard some where that the smaller the pincers the more venomous they are.

  • Great 
  • japie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1814 W: 100 N: 1904] (5187)
  • [2005-01-26 14:21]

Now I know why I always made sure my army boots were empty! I learnt a lot from this post and another on my wishlist. The composition and exposure is very good. I look forward to tomorow's post.

Very well done and thanks for posting.

You must be very bold to take this nice picture.

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