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2012 Photos from the Ozarks

Started by Guest_IsaacSzabo_* , Jul 06 2012 02:14 AM

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#1 Guest_IsaacSzabo_*

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Posted 06 July 2012 - 02:14 AM

While I did not get into the water as early as I would have liked this year, I was able to catch the tail end of the spring spawning season here in the Ozarks in late April and into May. First, here are a few habitat shots from my first trip of the year to the Buffalo River:

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The main targets on my first few trips were darters. I found these Yoke Darters in the fastest part of the above riffle:

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On one side of the same riffle there was a small pool filled with Rainbow Darters in spawning mode. The males were chasing other males from their territories and courting the females. I caught these two males in the middle of a fin display showdown:

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Back in the middle of the riffle I encountered this Banded Darter:

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#2 Guest_IsaacSzabo_*

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Posted 06 July 2012 - 02:22 AM

I was surprised to see a large Bullfrog in the middle of the riffle. It had some trouble in the fast water but eventually found a rock to hide under and get some rest:

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I came across this friendly Midland Watersnake in the same riffle. It let me follow it around for several minutes as it searched under rocks for its prey. At one point it swam up to the surface to breathe, and the strong current washed it backwards right into my face. Luckily, both of us stayed calm. I grabbed it and helped it back to the bottom, and it continued its search for food.

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There were some stonerollers around. I am pretty sure this is a Largescale Stoneroller:

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#3 Guest_IsaacSzabo_*

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Posted 06 July 2012 - 02:26 AM

At another site on a different day I came across some sunfish. Here is a young Bluegill:

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Green Sunfish:

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Ozark Bass:

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There are usually snails around everywhere, but I do not normally pay much attention to them. I was surprised when I reviewed the picture of this snail to see such an interesting pattern and the details of the eyes and mouth. Could anyone provide some help in identifying this little guy?

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Well, that's all for now. I will update this thread thoughout the year with some more photos from my snorkeling trips.

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#4 Guest_exasperatus2002_*

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Posted 06 July 2012 - 07:34 AM

Great photography! Keep pics like these coming. What kind of camera were you using?

Edited by exasperatus2002, 06 July 2012 - 07:34 AM.

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#5 Michael Wolfe

Board of Directors

North Georgia, Oconee River Drainage

Posted 06 July 2012 - 07:38 AM

Great photography as always, but these two photos really take me back to the NANFA 2005 convention. Casper, Irate Mormon, Pierre G, and I camped I think right here on the gravel bar under this cliff. And swam with the yoke darters. They are very interesting fish, diving into the gravel (well into the interstitial spaces) whenever trouble approached. I eventually captured a few by snorkeling with them. They never bred for me (I am not very good at that) but I had some of that group for over three years. Also have an ozark madtom from that trip still...yes, a seven year old madtom! What a great location... thanks for the photos and the memory jog! Love those yokes and their green shoulders!

The main targets on my first few trips were darters. I found these Yoke Darters in the fastest part of the above riffle:

Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing. - Benjamin Franklin

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#6 Guest_Casper_*

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Posted 06 July 2012 - 09:20 AM

Wow Doggies...
Wonderful photos!
Yes sir i remember that site. It is just off a main hwy heading north out of Little Rock... an hour or so north.
I wish i was in that clarity... and your darters are in color as opposed to ours here. Most excellent.
This is where i first saw the Arkansas Saddled Darter... our mascot fish for the Arkansas convention hosted by Brian Wagner. Dave Neely did a wonderful illustration of the fish.
Great site! I am not sure if i wrote an account of that trip. Hum...

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#7 Guest_FirstChAoS_*

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Posted 06 July 2012 - 10:53 AM

Great photography, you guys did a wonderful job. Fascinating fishes including a few species we rarely see.

Also have an ozark madtom from that trip still...yes, a seven year old madtom! What a great location... thanks for the photos and the memory jog! Love those yokes and their green shoulders!

I am starting to get the impression that catfish live forever. Mine are the hardiest of my fish. Plus I heard stories of ponds poisoned and drained later having bullhead in them when refilled.

I was scratching my head the other day when i looked up the Muskingum river in Ohio (where the convention would go) and saw bullhead were historical their, as if they are gone now. I found it odd because from what I heard almost nothing short of disease or physical injury can stop a bullhead.

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#8 Guest_jblaylock_*

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Posted 06 July 2012 - 11:26 AM

WOW....that is all

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#9 Guest_steve_*

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Posted 06 July 2012 - 12:41 PM

Yes, Wow! Just too much beauty to find a favorite to comment on. I love it all. Thanks so much for posting for all to enjoy.

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#10 Guest_farmertodd_*

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Posted 06 July 2012 - 12:59 PM

Oh wow, they are VAHRY NICE-AH! I would think I'd be all googly over the yoke darter, but I like the one with the bullfrog at the surface the most

I got my first snorkel of the year in on Wed (yes, it's been that busy). I'm insanely jealous of the color and clarity... Keep 'em coming!

Todd

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#11 Guest_Irate Mormon_*

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Posted 06 July 2012 - 10:32 PM

Yeah, I remember that site. And it was Billy McLaughlin, not Michael Hedges! They just kinda sound the same :-)

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#12 Guest_IsaacSzabo_*

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Posted 07 July 2012 - 02:14 AM

Thanks everyone!

Exasperatus2002, I am using a Nikon D7000.

Michael, I wish I would have been around during the Arkansas convention – that would have been a lot of fun. For me, it does not get much better than camping on the Buffalo. Yoke darters are one of my favorites, and that Ozark madtom of yours has got to be a record.

Casper, the darter photos were taken back in late April and early May. They have not been in color here for a while now. The Arkansas Saddled darter is another one of my favorites. Unfortunately, I did not make it out early enough this year to catch them in color. Is it too late for a trip report of the Arkansas convention?

Todd, yeah, the bullfrog is not a very exciting species, but this one happened to be a good model. I snorkeled a lot in May, but then things got really busy all of the sudden and I haven’t been out since.

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#13 Guest_Casper_*

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Posted 07 July 2012 - 11:13 AM

Oh you cheater! I was thinking these darter pics were NOW!

I sure would like you to get some nice shots of the AR Saddled darter. I was mighty impressed the first time i saw it and thus choose it for the AR convention mascot along with Brian and Dave's approval. Awesome, mighty fish. I have a 26" saddled darter at home. Man it's BIG!
Please get out again... you are a master of underwater photography and your captured images are much appreciated by many when you share them. I hope to meet you one day.

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#14 Guest_IsaacSzabo_*

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Posted 10 July 2012 - 02:31 AM

It seems like I have seen a picture of your giant AR Saddled darter in an old gallery somewhere.

I'm sure I'll get out again pretty soon. Plus, I'll have some more pictures to post from my other May trips once I have some time to go through them.

You're too kind, Casper. There are a lot of talented folks on this site - you included! I'm sure we'll get to hang out and do fishy stuff someday.

Edited by IsaacSzabo, 10 July 2012 - 02:32 AM.

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#15 Guest_gerald_*

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Posted 10 July 2012 - 09:36 AM

Fantastic pics Isaac; thanks for sharing. The snail looks like one of the Pleurocera species (now includes the genera Elimia and Goniobasis).

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#16 Guest_natureman187_*

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Posted 12 July 2012 - 10:46 AM

Spectacular work my friend. Those sparring darters are a hard shot to nail.
I am so jealous of your liquid air :smile2:

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#17 Guest_UncleWillie_*

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Posted 17 July 2012 - 05:58 PM

Stunning pics as usual, Isaac! That water looks surreal. Thanks for sharing all these great photos.

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#18 Guest_IsaacSzabo_*

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Posted 18 July 2012 - 05:47 AM

Thanks guys!

I appreciate the help with the snail, Gerald. My best guess at this time is Pleurocera acuta, the Sharp Hornsnail.

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#19 Guest_IsaacSzabo_*

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Posted 27 August 2012 - 03:33 PM

Here are some more photos from the Buffalo River in May:

I've always liked the metallic eyes of Banded Sculpins:
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Pair of Banded Darters:
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Young Map Turtle:
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Whitetail Shiner:
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Snail:

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#20 Guest_IsaacSzabo_*

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Posted 27 August 2012 - 03:38 PM

I had never noticed metallic blue on Blackspotted Topminnows before:
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I was excited to find some breeding Gilt Darters (uncommon in the Buffalo River) after several days of searching:
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Ozark Crayfish (Re-identified 21 Feb 2013 Brian Wagner AGFC Nongame Aquatics Biologist, originally thought to be a Longpincered Crayfish) - post edited for accuracy at original posters request.
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