|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
North American Native Fish
Eastern North America has an immaculate array of fishes, many of which are unknown even to experienced naturalists and fisheries professionals. The greatest numbers of species are found in Tennessee and Kentucky, especially among the darters, which might be called the "warblers of the water". However, the degree of endemics occurring in Gulf Coast drainages makes Alabama and the panhandle of Florida close contenders for the richness crown. Without even making a claim to "most speciose", there isn't an intact watershed east of the Rocky Mountains where one would look below and not marvel at the color and beauty of the fishes native to this continent.
However, getting into a stream isn't for everyone... So I've made it my mission to make this fauna accessible to folks through photography and film. Below, you'll find a small gallery of my favorite shots and a list of highlight trips where I've taken some time to create web ditties. I hope you'll take some time to browse through the photos and clips.
If you're in the Great Lakes Region and are interested in identifying fish, you many find a guide Jeff Grabarkiewicz and I put together on the Common Fishes of the Toledo Area:
Common Fishes of the Toledo Area
If you have a greater interest in seeing more species I've photographed organized in a taxonomic list, please hop on over to:
http://gallery.nanfa.org/v/members/farmertodd/There you will also find other photographs in the "Members" directory. These great photos are hosted by a group I am deeply involved with, called the North American Native Fishes Association. The main website is found at:
http://www.nanfa.org/
|
Video - Head on over to my You Tube Site to watch the videos streaming! Trammel Creek, Kentucky - Near Bowling Green Wow, was this a treat! We had been in the rain this entire trip, and then the heavens parted, and we got to see what I call "Liquid Sunshine". In these films, you'll see striped shiner, Tennessee shiner and scarlet shiner, all vying for space with each other in a scour created by spawning suckers earlier in the season. Huron River, Michigan - Island State Park This bass was guarding two northern hogsuckers from other smallmouth, catching food the suckers have missed. Many people believe that suckers take food from sport fish. This is the reality of the situation. These fish are so curious, I had to knock them away from the camera to get them back in frame. Notice how the fish stays completely under the shade of the lily pad. Big Creek, Missouri - Sam A. Baker State Park Sometimes, the best way to attract a crowd is to stir it up. The one gilt darter was going in and out of my fingers. You're the weirdest fish they've ever seen, so they have to come check you out! I love it when light works for you.
Photos 2010
|
