Sunday, April 21, 2013

A Moment of Beauty

"A trout is a moment of beauty known only to those who seek it."
~ Arnold Gingrich

Before I tell you the story about the photo from the previous post, why not go over to the comments section there and read what everyone had to say? There are some correct answers, some which were way off and a few which were clever and funny. Go on.. I'll wait.

Done? Okay, so here's the story.

Late last summer I blogged about the salmon run at the creek in Bowmanville. Now that spring is here, the trout have begun their own trek upstream to spawn. They're much smaller than the salmon, and generally have an easier time of getting up the fish ladder - if they've positioned themselves in the right spot, that is.

Silly things - many of them are trying to climb the actual dam and not the fish ladder. Here are a few of them in action.

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Remember, a dead fish can float downstream, but it takes a live one to swim upstream.
~ W. C. Fields 




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No human being, however great, or powerful, was ever so free as a fish.
~ John Ruskin




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Last year I went fishing with Salvador Dali. He was using a dotted line. He caught every other fish.
~ Steven Wright




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Do fish ever get seasick?
~ James Joyce




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Such good manners. This guy is waiting his turn.




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Beauty without grace is like a fish far displaced from the water and looking at this kind of beauty is like watching that fish die right there on the cement in front of you.
~ C. JoyBell C.



As expressed in the above quote and shown in the accompanying image, sometimes the trout end up where they shouldn't be. Some miss the ladder entirely and end up on this small platform

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They try to reorient themselves and work their way back into the water.


 

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Most will succeed at doing this, as this one was about to do.

But every now and then, some of them exhaust themselves by trying to propel themselves in the wrong direction, taking them even further from the water and to their ultimate demise.

 That's when yesterday's image was taken. This one here was snapped just seconds later.

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Our unsung hero had decided to climb over the rail and into the "no trespassing" zone so that he could kindly help these weary (not dead) fish back into the water.



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Thank you, compassionate stranger.




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These trout will continue their upstream trek for the next little while. Aren't you feeling tired just watching them? How about grateful that there are those who care about a fish's struggles to take a few moments to help them out? Yeah, me too.

More in a few days.

63 comments:

Karen (formerly kcinnova) said...

I knew it was a man (apparently because I lack the imagination of your many readers who saw other things) so I'm happy to read the happy ending.
LOVE the Steven Wright quote!

Frank Baron said...

Ah, my beauties! My brave, noble beauties. You captured their grace, power and yes...beauty. Well done. :)

ADRIAN said...

I wish I could sit and watch them.

Rob-bear said...

Too bad the helper just put them back into the water, instead of over the dam. Well, but . . . whatever.

Great pictures.

Cloudia said...

Never seen this shown so well. Very good post.

Aloha

Bob Bushell said...

A beautiful thing to sit around watching, it is a skill. Well photographed Hilary.

Andy said...

Another fine collection of photos. It seems to me that Ministry Of Natural Resources should be there to assist the fish over the dam. They spend enough money on stocking them. They should also be there in fall when the illegal snagging of the fish goes on.

Tabor said...

I just love the clarity of the photo of the trout that is patiently waiting. And the photo of the man with fish truly gives some perspective on how large (and heavy) these fish are.

Steve Gravano said...

Awesome!

DJan said...

These photos tell the whole story, don't they? And the quotes give me yet another perspective. I am also grateful to the compassionate stranger for saving those two worn-out trout. Thanks for another great set of pictures, Hilary! :-)

Anvilcloud said...

I am confused. Isn't the lake downstream, not upstream? Do you mean they're swimming upstream away from the lake?

Country Girl said...

If I had seen it earlier, I would have remembered exactly what it was. I remember when you wrote that - so interesting and something I've never been a witness to.

TexWisGirl said...

you took some beautiful shots of these incredibly determined trout. the stranger's shadow was impressive, too.

Red said...

Catching the leaping salmon in the air is a tough challenge. They don't wait for you to shoot or pose or anything like that.

Rosaria Williams said...

Every time I see these kinds of photos I stand in wonder!

Mage said...

A simply beautiful story and images.

Kerri Farley said...

Hooray for compassionate strangers! We need more like this in the world today!

Indrani said...

It is like the story of newly hatched turtles here. The disoriented ones have to be helped back to sea.

Rita said...

LOL! I didn't enlarge the picture and missed the poor fish lying there in the original photo--duh! But I was still close--maybe sensed the rescue--ha! What a sweet, sweet guy!!! :)

Anita said...

I remember the salmon run post and was impressed with their trek and plight and the human intervention when needed.

That was a fun photo puzzle, Hilary. I didn't totally fail with my answer, however, I probably earned a 1 out of 5 stars. :)

stephen Hayes said...

I know many people who enjoy fishing but don't eat their catch. If you aren't going to eat them, leave them alone. I do like the idea of fly fishing where you kiss your fish on the mouth out of respect before releasing it back into the water.

Rosemary Aubut said...

Mother Natur at her best! Awesome!

Lynne with an e said...

My city roots are showing as I didn't know that trout swim upstream to spawn. Wouldn't it be a whole lot easier if they swam downstream?

I love the polka dot skin of speckled trout...as well as the flavour of trout (ssshhhh! don't let them hear that).

I think the ones that are jumping into the middle of the stream rather than taking the fish ladder are the fishy equivalent of humans that love to engage in extreme sports. Just a theory.

messymimi said...

Sometimes we all need a bit of help in the world -- i hope he gets rewarded with help when he needs it next.

Maggie May said...

The photos are very clear. It is amazing how some fish get to where they are going and some brain themselves in the attempt.
Maggie x

Nuts in May

yaya said...

I'd forgotten about the trout post from before...very clever photography and I am grateful to those who help nature out...good shots! (as always!) I was right though, it was a bit "fishy"!

lime said...

you really got some great shots there! i especially like the gentleman fish taking his turn. also loved the stephen wright quote ;)

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

Your pictures always show such clarity and detail. Never have I seen trout look better. Your "Beauty without grace" quote reminded me of this scripture passage: "As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion." (Proverbs 11:22)

Bossy Betty said...

Gorgeous pictures! Talk about an inspiration--yes! Both you and the fish! Thanks for coming by this morning and for your very sweet comments.

Anonymous said...

What lovely shot of these beautiful fish. And hurray for people willing to help them.

joeh said...

Great pictures, nice story.

Betty Manousos said...

thank you for this amazing post, dear hilary!

(swimming upstream trout? i only knew salmon did so.)
great captures and story.
my week has already started well by seeing this post.

xo

Leah J. Utas said...

A kind stranger. Love the fish pics.

Daryl said...

life is all about compassion .... thankfully that guy wasnt trying to slip across the border but to help a fish out er back into the water!

larkswing said...

Wish there was something cool like that to see around here. But it might wear me out after a bit, talk about some cardio (meaning the fish, not me watching) :)

Out on the prairie said...

A little far from my captionLOL I ate rainbow last night and for breakfast today.

Sharon Wagner said...

Great post! I always wanted to be a mermaid. And I will remember not to fish with a dotted line. Ha!

photowannabe said...

Truly fascinating and thanks for showing the Good Samaritan.
The nature of migrating fish is almost more than my feeble brain can comprehend.
Terrific series of photos Hilary.

Anonymous said...

that was fun! it's always interesting over here! :-)

:.tossan® said...

Excellent collection of photos and wonder of posting. The work of nature is divine and exciting! His work with the camera is excellent! I like it! hug

Gail Dixon said...

I was close! I feel hopeful in humanity when someone does something like this. Glad he was there to help the fish get where they needed to go. :)

Kerry said...

Hilary, I love this. I. Just. Love. This.
One of my favorite things about living in Oregon are the salmon, swimming relentlessly, furiously, up the streams. They are what the word "awesome" was meant for.

SandyCarlson said...

They sure do work hard! These are amazing images.

Joanna Jenkins said...

What a great post! I never guessed salmon.

I remember the salmon in Alaska-- gosh they work hard swimming.

xo jj

Suldog said...

Seeing people go out of their way to help another living creature gives me more strength myself. God bless him.

Friko said...

Our salmon - and presumably trout - do their death defying trip round about Christmas time. They make it if there's enough water, otherwise they’re done for.

Excellent photos, how long did you need to stay there?

Wendy said...

Really cool salmon shots, Hilary.
I kind of remember this post from earlier, but that shadow totally stumped me. It looked kind of like an animal - but then saw the human form.
Hugs

Mental P Mama said...

Once again, these shots are breathtaking.

Russell said...

Most interesting. I thought it was a picture of a salmon also. Animals are incredible creatures, aren't they?

Certainly kind of that gentleman to step over the fence and give those fish a helping hand -- literally.

chariskalee said...

Hilary, oh my gosh what an awesome post! thanks for again wowing me and all of us lucky enough to share your pics.

EG CameraGirl said...

These fish work so hard to swim up stream, don't they?

Barbara said...

I've never seen this in person. Thank you for sharing it with us - and bravo to that hero!!

Jackie said...

I came here because of the beautiful comment you left on Jim's (Sully's) blog... What a gift for words you have...and the ones you expressed to him were perfectly said. I wanted to tell you how much they touched me.
And...then I saw your lovely photos, read your blog about the trout and the rescue and am drawn here and look forward to returning here. Just wanted to say that you are a talented lady.
Hugs,
Jackie

holdingmoments said...

A truly great set of pictures, of one of natures amazing moments Hilary.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful pictures, such healthy looking fish.It's a miracle what they acheive. xx

Anonymous said...

p.s. very touching that you have that picture to remember Moanie <3

Tammie Lee said...

amazing series of images and quotes
a beautiful offering for us to consider
thank you Hilary

Bone said...

Wow, those are some spectacular photos! This reminds me of being a kid and running up the "down" escalator. I'm not sure when I stopped going that. Or why.

Leave It To Davis said...

I remember seeing your video and pictures of the volunteers who aid the fish from last year's post. Thanks for telling us to go back and read the comments section from your last post...hilarious. How do people come up with such funny stuff? They are missing their calling! You should sell that photo to a psychiatrist....he could use it with his ink blots!

Dianne said...

bless people who go out of their way to help a fish

wonderful photos

I love the Steven Wright quote, he kills me

Betty Manousos said...

just stopping by to say hi and also wish you a great weekend!

big hugs~

Pauline said...

Thank goodness for the kindness of strangers (and your marvelous photos)! And thank you for giving me the POTW award for my poem!

Linda said...

Thank you for this. It is nice to stop and take a moment to think about what our friends in the animal (and fish) world go through to carry on their species.