Last week found me below Douglas Dam trying to photograph bald eagles fishing. Unfortunately, none honored me with their presence. Great Blue Herons fishing was my entertainment, though those images are not unusual for an East Tennessee wildlife photographer.
Things became more interesting when I realized the catch appeared to be a sturgeon, presumably from a previous release at Seven Islands State Birding Park. For more than eight minutes, I was able to capture 150 images of its gyrations as the heron worked to figure out how to swallow this bony fish. These are just a few of those images.
Both creatures’ lineages date back to prehistoric times, more than 150 million years ago, surviving the era of the dinosaurs. The park works with TVA on an annual event called “Sturgeonfest,” a celebration where visitors can release a baby sturgeon into the French Broad River. Watch “Friends of Seven Islands” (About Friends of Seven Islands — Friends of Seven Islands) website for details on this year’s October 18 release and how/when to sign up. It’s free!
The breakfast party with these two — one beautiful, one not so much — were my surprise for the day. With wildlife photography, I seldom get what I am looking for, but that is part of the fun.
Photographer Chris and painter Robin Rohwer each week share a painting or photograph that captured their interest in hopes that it will also capture yours. They have a small studio and gallery in the Phoenix Building at 418 South Gay Street, where you can stop and see their work. Their website is www.ChristopherRobinArts.com. All works are copyright-protected.
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