Steve Calceatum's (formerly known as Xsyorra) Picture Thread

[Teal]

Awesome shots! Love that last one.. too cool!

Congrats on the new additions

 

[Steve Calceatum]

Thanks, Jairi...that last shot was taken under blacklight. Those kind of shots are very difficult to get, as you have to have the right conditions:
1) A scorp that's actually out
2) A scorp that's actually out and holding still
3) A camera that allows you to screw around with the shutter speed to compensate for having no flash

They don't always turn out well either:

(Compare to pic on last page......)

Here's a couple more natural-light shots for you, though:

BACK OFF!!!!!!!

 

[Teal]

Whoever said emps are supposed to be nice... probably didn't meet one LOL

I never tried blacklighting any of my scorps... but I think I should have... I would have had fun taking pictures of it!

 

[Steve Calceatum]

Whoever said emps are supposed to be nice... probably didn't meet one LOL

I never tried blacklighting any of my scorps... but I think I should have... I would have had fun taking pictures of it!

Haha!!!! Too true!!!! I've not met a nice one yet. My Centruroides spp. was actually nicer to me than these two Emps have been, LOL. I miss him now....12 years later, but I really want another one of those. I know Oregon has a sp. of scorp somewhere.....be nice to go a-hunting and try to get a Pac NW native sp. in my collection.

That would be awesome to see your efforts with that Blacklighting photo shoot!!!! Scorps under UV is soooo amazing!!!!!! The first time I ever saw that, I was in second grade on a field trip to the Oregon Zoo. They had this display, and I was just transfixed....and I really didn't want to be educated about spiders, so I just stayed at that display until the class returned. So, for me, blacklighting my scorps feels like being a kid again.

 

[Steve Calceatum]

A Couple More...Couldn't Resist!!!!

Not the best blacklight shot, but still cool:

 

[Redneck]

Awesome shot Steve... I think I am going to try and get a blacklight shot of my Emperor..

 

[Teal]

Very cool, Steve! Do you turn off all the regular lights to blacklight them? Must be cool to watch the process!

 

[Ariel]

That is so cool. I am still incredibly jelous! The blacklighting is jsut outrageous.

 

[Steve Calceatum]

Awesome shot Steve... I think I am going to try and get a blacklight shot of my Emperor..

You definately should try that. That would be awesome to see Tommy!!!! I'd definately suggest reading the article on photographing scorps under blacklight before doing it, though. Don't be like me and beat your head against a wall, only to read the article after figuring out how to do it on your own, LOL!!!!

Very cool, Steve! Do you turn off all the regular lights to blacklight them? Must be cool to watch the process!

Yes, all lights are completely off. That way, no extreneous light is present to overexpose the shot, or compromise the scorp's flourescence. Don't know how exciting the process is to watch......setting up the shot, getting the correct exposure and light balance, making sure there are no light streaks off the glass, etc. But let me tell you; after all that, 8 seconds is a long time to hold your breath in hopes that the scorp doesn't move while the shutter is open!!!

 

[Steve Calceatum]

That is so cool. I am still incredibly jelous! The blacklighting is jsut outrageous.

Thanks!!!! Isn't it awesome??? Aside from the flourescence, they display some interesting behaviors too.....most peculiar creatures. :?

 

[Ariel]

Thanks!!!! Isn't it awesome??? Aside from the flourescence, they display some interesting behaviors too.....most peculiar creatures. :?

Thats cool, I remember reading one of your other posts about their beahvior, seemed pretty interesting. Makes me want some even more!

 

[Teal]

Yes, all lights are completely off. That way, no extreneous light is present to overexpose the shot, or compromise the scorp's flourescence. Don't know how exciting the process is to watch......setting up the shot, getting the correct exposure and light balance, making sure there are no light streaks off the glass, etc. But let me tell you; after all that, 8 seconds is a long time to hold your breath in hopes that the scorp doesn't move while the shutter is open!!!

I want a live demo next time I am up there! lol It sounds exciting to me.. but then, I am easily amused sometimes lol

 

[Steve Calceatum]

Thats cool, I remember reading one of your other posts about their beahvior, seemed pretty interesting. Makes me want some even more!

Well, you'll be out of your folks' place soon enough....I wholeheartedly encourage a small communal of Emps!!!!!

I want a live demo next time I am up there! lol It sounds exciting to me.. but then, I am easily amused sometimes lol

As you wish......LOL!!!

 

[Teal]

Maybe I should have said...

May I please have a live demo next time I'm up?

LOL though "I want" is still subjective to a "Sure, you can have.." or "No!" LOL

 

[Steve Calceatum]

All About Roaches and a Couple Good Friends!!!!!!!!!!

After pulling my hair out trying to get some decent roach pics, I finally got some good ones!!!! These things just won't sit still, so I called in my good friend Binka to help wrangle a few roaches for pictures. She asked that I give her credit if I posted these......a wise move to do so considering her boyfriend is my best-friend, bass player, and would kick my ass if I didn't, LOL!!!!

This is honestly one aspect of the hobby that took me by surprise.....a feeder that doubles as a pet!!!!


Lobstertails (My favorite pic from this session!!!)

Hybrids

Dubias

This is Binka: Her and Eryck have been friends of mine for a long time. They've been my biggest support since I started this hobby......however, Binka is afraid of spiders!!!! She's made an honest effort to get over it, and has handled quite a few of my Ts, albeit after some lengthy encouragement, LOL.

But she has a special affinity for my roaches:
(Holding a Male Hybrid)

(Holding Female & Male Hybrids)

After my Jezebel and OBT died acouple weeks back, the two of them went up to the store, and brought back:

They went through the whole bag to find me a replacement OBT, and versi.......

Biting the bitey-thing

Many thanks to Binka for helping me wrangle the Roaches during the photo shoot!!!

As always, Thanks for Viewing!!!!

 

[Ariel]

Awesome pics. Roaches are seeming more and more cool to me.

 

[Teal]

I am SO in love with your hybrids! They are gorgeous!

and the Lobstertail is too darn cute!

Yup, I need me some of em both lol

 

[Steve Calceatum]

Awesome pics. Roaches are seeming more and more cool to me.

Thanks!!! That's sweet you're liking the idea of roaches!!! Roaches really grew on me......not even half the hassle of crickets, not to mention half the stench. They're cute, fun to play with, and a few hundred roaches goes a long way toward feeding a modest collection for a good while.

I am SO in love with your hybrids! They are gorgeous!

and the Lobstertail is too darn cute!

Yup, I need me some of em both lol

Don't worry...I'll hook you up with some. Those Hybrids are going to be a minute, though. Been raising this colony from the ground up, so it might be about 3-6 months before the next generation provides me with adults. Whenever I can count 50 breeding adults just pay me shipping, and I'll send you a starter colony.

The Lobs look adorable, but they can be a bit of a pain to deal with. Although, they are beautiful!!!! I want a tat of the Lobstertail's carapace patterns.......

 

[Teal]

Awesome I can wait! lol
Pay shipping? Aww shucks, I was hoping I could just come pick them up

The pattern on the Lobstertail carapace is amazing

 

[Steve Calceatum]

Awesome I can wait! lol
Pay shipping? Aww shucks, I was hoping I could just come pick them up

The pattern on the Lobstertail carapace is amazing

I have no problems letting some Lobs go with you whenever you come to visit P-town. Maybe I'll return the favor and drive the Hybrids down when they're ready....should be mobile again here pretty soon, anyways.

Isn't it sick???? Those little buggers will surprise the hell out of you!!!!