Saturday, September 27, 2008

New View

You probably have no idea the lengths I sometimes go to for a photograph for the weekly PhotoHunt theme. Or perhaps I should say heights in this case. Some of the weekly themes are relatively easy to meld with the general subject of the blog. Some present more of a challenge. This week's theme of 'view' was one of the challenging ones.

Of course I have lots of photo's with views of the pond. There are views from north, south, east, and west. There are views in sun and in rain. There are views featuring reflections of the trees, sky, and clouds. There are views from the center of the pond back to the shore. Believe me, I've got views. The problem was I have used a lot of those before in other posts. I needed a new view. Well, I got one. This view was taken from close to 25 feet above the pond. Now that is pretty high off the ground for taking photographs in my world. It took a tall tree, an extension ladder, and a limb saw to get the shot.

Actually I had an ulterior motive though. I was looking for fish. Big fish.

For the last week or so we have not seen the large grass carp nor have we seen many of the larger turtles. Normally the carp would always come up to eat when we throw out the fish food. In fact they would often be the first ones there and the most voracious.

I'm not sure why they disappeared all of a sudden. Evidently it has to do with the change of season, but the weather has remained fairly warm. I was surprised that they may already be going into their cold weather mode where they eat less, slow down their metabolism, and move to deeper water. Perhaps the cycle has more to do with the change in the length of the day than the specific changes in the weather.

Now these are big fish for a small pond. It's hard to show exactly how large in a photograph because there is usually not a good point of reference. They are about 24"-28" long and may weigh around 20 pounds. Some of you may recall the catfish used for the 'dark' theme in a prior PhotoHunt. These carp are probably twice the size of that catfish.
I knew that if I could look down into the water from a high point I might be able to spot them if they were toward the shallow end. And it just so happens I did. I spotted 3 together in water that was about 3-4 feet deep, but they were too far away and too deep in the water to get a photo.

We had a total of 5 of the grass carp in the pond. The three I saw were ones that were put in about 18 months ago and they grew tremendously fast over the first year. The other 2 have been in the pond for years, but we rarely see them now. Every time we write them off as dead and gone they show up.

It's easy to tell them apart from the younger ones as they are probably 50% larger. Usually they are too far away to get a photo, but I was able to get a short video of one of them this summer. I'll have to track it down and post it soon.

42 comments:

  1. Now that's dedication to the hunt!:) The fish scales look really pretty in the photos.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ireally like carp. :) Your pictures are always great. I really like the neighbour's flowers too. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ah, yes, the trick is getting a view not seen before. I confess I didn't go to such great lengths... OR heights. Just a lengthy search through old files. Hunting spoonbills all week left me little time for a view-hunt.

    Very nice view of the pond! And the fish shots are superb! Were you involved with the pondstruction? I'm researching options.

    ReplyDelete
  4. that was huge fish...

    Please stop at my PH post also: in HERE or HERE Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks for posting the story along with the image. I always enjoy learning about how others get their shots and what they discover in the process.

    ReplyDelete
  6. What magnificent fish. Wonderful! Happy weekend

    ReplyDelete
  7. That´s a really a huge fish!
    Happy weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  8. It has very nice view....cool.

    ReplyDelete
  9. omg - those are huge n since u u went thru all that trouble, i think u should get the weekly pick! ;) thanks for stopping by, sorry it took me so long to pop by again.

    ReplyDelete
  10. And all that hard work paid off.... Beautiful photos of your pond, ladder, and fish! Great Post!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Baker, you're insane! And I love your shots - as always!

    I finally woke up and posted, so I hope you'll stop by:
    http://flamingofotos.blogspot.com

    Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  12. That ladder photo is best!!!

    Mine's up, it's a Cat's Eye View of fun.

    Happy Hunting.

    ReplyDelete
  13. What fun! I'm so glad that your fish are still there. Mine is up now too.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love the colors on the first and second photos. :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Another excellent entry Baker! I always enjoy a visit to the pond, but no more than I did now. I'm glad you were able to catch a glimpse of the carps else all that effort would've been in vain! Good job! :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. I love the idea of you going to such dizzy heights to get a photograph.....I have to say from my point of view it was worth it....I love the reflection......

    The fish are beautiful......I love the colours....wonderful shots Baker......

    ReplyDelete
  17. Those are all great shot and the ones of the fish you achieved are amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  18. You go! No view is worth me getting on a step ladder!! I love the reflections in the water too.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hmm..I need to get a fishing rod.
    Can't let those big fish swim freely..hehehe

    ReplyDelete
  20. Great shot!! and i admire your ambition!

    ReplyDelete
  21. A dedicated blogger to go to such lengths...uh, heights. Really nice photos.

    http://wanderingwonderinggypsy.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  22. Looks like you went to a lot of trouble for the first picture.
    Great shots!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Wow that's a very big ladder Baker! I took one of mine looking down from a helicopter!

    Your photos are wonderful as always. I really like the one of the carp.

    Feel free to stop by

    ReplyDelete
  24. Great pictures as always, I love coming to visit :)

    ReplyDelete
  25. Would not be able to climb up a ladder just for a shot... or fish watching. I am just a little scared of that. But it does make for a good picture.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Wow, you certainly did go to great heights for the photo. Glad you found your big fish in the process. I find I have used many of my photos for the theme too and finding some newer ones is getting more difficult.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I love your pond view. I could lay in a hammock and look at that forever.

    Those fish are looking at me funny though....

    ReplyDelete
  28. Great shot, worth the huge effort you put in. Congratulations, you have a wonderful site. Enjoy your weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Love them all...but the carp are so neat. I have seen my husband pull carp that big out of our local river...of course he throws them back in!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Holy cow Baker..I am happy that one of the photos wasn't you in a cast. Those fish look kind of similar to the big ones we have. I will have to spend next summer looking at the fish more. I see there is much to be learned....

    ReplyDelete
  31. it's a big fish!

    i always love to look at forms of water in that state where it looks like there are no movements. it gives me peace.

    nice capture of the pond...

    ReplyDelete
  32. Great photos - fabulous view and love the story to go with.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Great shot Baker, simply beautiful setting from that angle, love all the photos of yours, I like the different color shades of that second fish, and the scale detail, always like coming over to fish and frog, you always have something interesting going on.

    I am also partial to the shot of the lizard, like the swirls in the leaves looks abstract, I like that last shot also, the thin tentacles of the flower stem give balance to the vibrant flower.

    ReplyDelete
  34. WOW - So many nice comments. I can't tell you how much we appreciate the visits and kind words.

    As always I try to visit all those who comment and I'm still working through them now. If I miss anyone I apologize.

    Now for some specific replies and answers.

    ForeverFoster - Yep - That's me, lol - Dedicated to the extreme

    Leslie - Thanks - We always like it when the PH visitors check out some of the other posts

    SophieMae - Thanks on the fish shots - It's always seems so hard to get some that show what they really look like without any special equipment - And sorry, I didn't have anything to do with the pondstuction

    RJ Flamingo - Insane? Moi? LOL

    philos - I was glad to see them - Actually I was able to check them out again Saturday and got some photo's but they were still too far off for good shots.

    Carver - Thanks on the fish shots

    bingtang4 - First some visitors wanted to cook and eat the catfish I posted for the 'dark' theme now you want to catch the carp, lol - Actually they are grass carp for controlling the weeds and grass in the pond - they are strictly vegetarian and don't go for any type of bait or lure - but it sure would be fun to hook into one

    Ladykli - Hmmm? A helicopter? Don't put ideas in my head, lol

    YummyY - We don't have the hammock up but we do have a large hammock type chair that is great - I've had a couple of short naps in it myself - Come on over

    lucy - those river carp can be some monsters I understand

    Michelle - Perhaps they are the same type - The are used quite extensively in ponds and lakes in out part of the country to control grass and weeds

    Floyd - It's always a pleasure - And thanks for mentioning the prior post too

    Thank you ALL for coming - Hope to see you again soon

    Baker

    ReplyDelete
  35. Those are brilliant shots! I particularly like that you used the extension ladder for the photos! I certainly would have done that too! And I love that face on the last picture!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Hi Baker!...O.K....love the new view...love the ladder photo...fish photos are amazing(I'll have to pull my hubby to the screen for this)...but where's the photo of you up on that ladder?! That would've been priceless, don't you think??

    ReplyDelete
  37. sammawow - thanks - next time I'll hold the ladder and let you do the climbing, lol - that fish does have an interesting face doesn't it

    spookydragonfly - lol - a photo of me on the ladder probably would have been unique, especially for the blog - Actually I had to climb higher up in that same tree to retrieve a kite back during the spring - If it had belonged to some kid in the neighborhood it would probably still be up there but it was MY kite and one of my favorites at that

    ReplyDelete
  38. I wish I could take pictures like you. But I wouldn't climb up the ladder.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Baker, your dedication and talent is so wonderful... I wish you would take my advice about your photo's!!! :-)

    The images, together with the wonderful information is such a pleasure and privilege to see for anyone who loves nature and is keen to find out about those things that most of us do not see.

    ReplyDelete
  40. great photos! and very informative... thanks for sharing...

    ReplyDelete
  41. gramma jo - thanks so much -

    avril, my friend - It's good to see you wandering around the blogosphere a bit - And thanks for your comments - And I am giving a bit of consideration to your advice

    7thstranger - Thanks for the visit - hope to see you again soon

    Baker

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by to visit our little pond. We would love to see you again real soon.