Cropped, sharpened.

While waiting for the crescent moon to set to start up my cameras for an astrophotography session, I had some time to kill and decided to see what the Scorpions were up to.

They were up to a lot! On the move everywhere; hunting and feeding. This pic is showing the scale of my index finger next to a smaller sized specimen. Occasionally, I would come across some even smaller...about the size of a firefly or a honeybee for comparison. I'm sure their sting still packs a punch and it was a little bit unnerving to let this one walk right past my finger while getting its picture taken.

Most on the ones I saw were about 2-3 inches with their tails extended. They cover a lot of ground quickly and I kept the UV tight handy to make sure I didn't step on any or put my hand near one when using my cell phone mounted on a pocket tripod on a boulder or the desert floor. I also agitated one adult specimen by trying to nudge in away from my cameras set up spot. With a short juniper stick I prodded it or poked the dirt behind it to keep it moving . I got too close with the stick and it struck half a dozen times within 2 seconds. Very fast, accurate tail strikes and then it took off for a hiding place under a big rock. Some of the rocks near the scorpion also fluoresce as you can see the orange pebbles glowing...calcite is probably what they are.

I must say I'm glad these critters lack wings and flight capability. What a nightmare that would be!