28 replies to this topic

[gerald]

Figured we should start a new thread for post-convention stories and photos.  Here's the Tricolor and Alabama shiners from Mountaintown Creek NW of Ellijay, Gilmer Co GA, first stop on Brett's Cossawattee trip on Friday June 8.

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•  Cyp.trichroistia.08jun18.mountaintown.cr.NW-Ellijay.dsc07055.JPG   72.18KB   7 downloads

[gerald]

Cyprinella callistia

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•  Cyp.callistia.08jun18.mountaintown.cr.NW-Ellijay.dsc07049.JPG   56.43KB   3 downloads

[gerald]

Somebody built a small crescent-shaped jetty of rocks extending out from a gravel bar in Valley River in Andrews NC.  A group of several dozen stonerollers found this an irresistible place to spawn, and our gang found it an irresistible opportunity to video them.  David Smith demonstrating his exquisite form and stealth in aquatic videography technique.

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[Chasmodes]

Wow, those fish pics are stunning!

 

I like the technique, but I think that I'd bring an air mattress to lay on if it was me

[mattknepley]

The tubercles on the big 'Bamas were something else, and thanks to Amanda Pinion I have a greater appreciation for them!

[Doug_Dame]

You're KILLING me. I was giving some unneeded advice to one of our buds not even a week ago, and the Tricolor and Alabama shiners were top of the list on fish I recommended. GaaaaaHHHH. 

 

[recovers somewhat]

 

Hope #1 - you all had fun.

 

Hope #2 - have plenty of photos and tales to share.

[Itsnotme1988]

Beautiful crayfish

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[mattknepley]

Just a small sampling of my usual quality photos...

Corn Creek, Just upstream from Young Harris College.
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Warpaint Shiner from Corn Creek
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Etowah Darter, Etowah River, Dawson Co., GA
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A couple others to follow, but I gotta get to work...

[keepnatives]

I discovered another way to ID Alabama shiners, even small ones about 1.5 inches.  Place them into a small 2 quart clear container, if they immediately go into a series of full speed ricochets ending in comatose bruised bodies laying on the bottom they are Alabama shiners.  They eventually recover but unfortunately the damage is done.   They were the only fish that didn't make it home other then a few tricolors I made the mistake of leaving in the cooler with them.  Next time they go in plastic bags upon capture.

[mattknepley]

Ouch! Please tell me that beef-hog of a bull male you had wasn't one of 'em. I hope some pictures of that monster make it onto the forum!

[gerald]

The young Alabama shiners that Chip and I brought home in a styro cooler are doing fine so far.  We had a big handful of Java moss in the cooler to provide shelter and ammonium uptake, plus approx 1 teasp/gal salt.

[keepnatives]

No he was much to big to take out of the creek plus he was clearly in the midst of making may more for next season.

[mattknepley]

Glad to hear that all the way around!

[lilyea]

A huge thank you to Michael for all of his efforts to prepare for and to host the convention.  I thoroughly enjoyed connecting with a wide variety of fish enthusiasts as well as the collecting experiences and the informative presentations.  A couple of the many things that struck me were how many NANFA people approach native fish very differently than I do such as the number of people that keep no or very few tanks and engage with fish primarily through photography, angling, working with specimens, and more.  Secondly I was struck by how different (and enjoyable) that the north Georgia streams and natural environment is from central Florida.  The large male Alabama shiner with massive tubercles (see Gerald's picture earlier in this thread) was amazing to see!  I successfully brought home several Fundulus stellifers so I am looking forward to working with these non-Florida native fish!

[gerald]

That's one of the features I love about NANFA - providing a common platform for ichthyologists, fishery managers, aquarists, nature watchers, anglers, teachers, aquaculturists, conservation folks (especially conflict resolutionists!), etc,  to share their knowledge and appreciation of all things aquatic.  As a fish hobbyist turned consulting biologist, I've seen way too much distrust over the years between professionals and amateurs -- NANFA does a pretty good job building bridges between them.

 

A huge thank you to Michael for all of his efforts to prepare for and to host the convention.  I thoroughly enjoyed connecting with a wide variety of fish enthusiasts as well as the collecting experiences and the informative presentations.  A couple of the many things that struck me were how many NANFA people approach native fish very differently than I do such as the number of people that keep no or very few tanks and engage with fish primarily through photography, angling, working with specimens, and more.  Secondly I was struck by how different (and enjoyable) that the north Georgia streams and natural environment is from central Florida.  The large male Alabama shiner with massive tubercles (see Gerald's picture earlier in this thread) was amazing to see!  I successfully brought home several Fundulus stellifers so I am looking forward to working with these non-Florida native fish!

[mattknepley]

Agree with Bruce and Gerald.

[Matt DeLaVega]

Great stuff. I think this is one of our most important attributes.

[Irate Mormon]

'Lil Yay,  I put  a slow-acting poison in the cooler wherein your F. stellifer resided.  Choose your room mates more carefully.

[Chasmodes]

Great stuff. I think this is one of our most important attributes.

 

Agreed!

[lilyea]

'Lil Yay,  I put  a slow-acting poison in the cooler wherein your F. stellifer resided.  Choose your room mates more carefully.

Yes Martin, all fish die eventually. At this point I am far more concerned about my ineptness than any other factor. It was a pleasure to meet and begin to get to know all of my quad-mates - with the added benefit that I now know that you don’t actually look like your avatar!