NeilFisher.com

Sockeye Salmon

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 07:31 -0800

Oncorhynchus nerka - The sockeye salmon lives for an average of 4 – 5 years, at the end of their life span they will spawn. When spawning males develop a hooked jaw and humped back. The Adams river Sockeye run, the largest salmon run in North America, today and in the past has face countless threats to their existence. 1913 saw a rock slide at Hell’s Gate caused by railway construction. The slide completely blocked the river; luckily with rising water narrow channels opened allowing upstream access for the spawning sockeye. The years following saw the construction of a dam in the upper Adams River. From time to time, the dam released large amounts of water to push felled timber logs downriver. These logs would speed downriver scouring and gouging the river bottom, unearthing and killing many salmon eggs. Between the controlled floods, water levels would drop so low, the river bed would dry up once again exposing and killing millions of salmon eggs. Fortunately the log runs stopped in 1922 and by the mid 1930’s an agreement between Canada and United States secured salmon stocks and their spawning grounds. Today the sockeye run is threatened no longer in their spawning beds, but rather in the open ocean. 90% of sampled juvenile sockeye salmon outmigrating from the Fraser River were infected with one or more sea lice.

Stuck

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 07:31 -0800

Octopus rubescen - the Red Octopus is the most common species inhabitating shallow-waters on the west coast of North America, though can reach a depth of 300 metres. Ranging from the Gulf of California, north to at least the Gulf of Alasksa. Often confused as a juvenile Giant Pacific Octopus in its Northern range, as its coloration and appearance are strikingly similar. However the Red Octopus only grows to a length of 40 to 50 centimetres, and weigthing on average 100 to 150 grams, though rare specimens have been up to 400 grams. Feeding on a wide variety of prey items including, gastropods, bivalves, crabs, and barnacles. Though most of their diet information has been gathered from captive animals, little is known of their wild diet.

Western Toad

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 07:31 -0800

Western Toad, Anaxyrus boreas or Bufo boreas, is a larger toad species ranging from 5.5 to 13 centimetres found throughout western North America. Its coloration is usually dusky gray or greenish with a white or cream dorsal stripe – in juveniles this dorsal stripe is rather weak or every absent. Males have smoother skin than females, reduced dorsal blotching, and thickened skin on their forefeet during the breeding season. Breeding occurs between March and July, at lower elevations breeding may begin as early as January. Females lay up to 17,000 eggs in sticky strings which become stuck to vegetation along the waters edge. When handled adults frequently vocalize, creating a sound much like a peeping chick. They will prey upon bees, beetles, ants, arachnids, crayfish, sowbugs, grasshoppers, trichopterans, lepidopterans, and dipterans.

Humpback

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 07:31 -0800

Humpbacks are often called a cosmopolitan species as they are found in almost all of the world’s oceans. This photo was taken on the west coast of Vancouver Island in Barkley Sound. The number of Humpbacks in the north Pacific has seen a remarkable recovery over the past 40 years. They hunted commercially until 1966 at which point it was estimated that fewer than 1400 remained. However, today the Humpbacks of the north Pacific number upwards of 20,000. Every year the Humpbacks make a monumental migration from Hawaii, Mexico, and Southern Asia to feeding areas in the north, California, Alaska, British Columbia and Russia. This individual whale is cataloged by the Canadian Pacific Biological Station as BCX0047. This number may appear completely random; however, it contains some interesting information. Following the BC is an X, Y or Z, corresponding to the amount of white on the flukes and a number to identify the individual. BCX## contain approximately 0-20% white, BCY## have approximately 20-60% white and BCZ## have approximately 60-100% white.

Siwash Rock

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 07:31 -0800

Originally the rock was known as Nine Pin Rock, as mariners saw a resemblance to a blowing pin. It's also known as Skalsh ( Slah-kay-ulsh ). Legend says indigenous tribes people believed “Q'uas the Transformer” had been sent on a mission worldwide to hear and possibly grant wishes. Hearing of Q'uas's approach, and local tribesman Skalsh went for a "purification" swim in the waters of modern day English Bay. While swimming Skalsh notice a canoe, he swam to greet its occupants; who asked why he was swimming. After explaining his purification swim to be worthy of Q'uas, one of the passengers assumed Skalsh had a personal request to make of Q'uas. Skalsh replied he had nothing to ask for himself, but seeked Q'as' aid for his people. The passenger surprised asked again, only to receive the same answer. The passenger then revealed that he was Q'uas, and that of all the people he had met Skalsh was the only unselfish one. So impressed, Q'uas transformed Skalsh into a 15 meter pinnacle as an example of how all people should be. And so to this day Skalsh stands as an immortal memorial to unselfishness in the distant past of the First Nations People.

Malaspina Galleries

Sun, 03 Jul 2011 07:31 -0800

This photo is of Malaspina Galleries, a very popular sandstone formation caused by many hundred years of crashing waves. The rock resembling a 90 metre long frozen wave, is a popular spot for watching the sunset and "cliff" jumping. Photographing the Malaspina Galleries requires plenty of planning and a lot of luck. The tide must be at the right height to provide access and still give the desired effect. The sun must be a the right angle (time of year) and right height to properly illuminate both the water as well as the over hanging sandstone.

Bald Eagle with Chum

Sun, 03 Jul 2011 07:24 -0800

Orange Ochre Star

Sun, 03 Jul 2011 07:24 -0800

Sea Horse

Sun, 03 Jul 2011 07:24 -0800

Hippocampus erectus - Hand reared by the Vancouver Aquarium this Lined Seahorse is one of hundreds which are raised and cared for by aquarium staff. The Lined Seahorse like all seahorses faces numerous threats, from being caught as by-catch in trawl fisheries, collected for aquarium trade, or being used in traditional medicines. The Lined Seahorse can be found from Nova Scotia south along the western Atlantic coast to Venezuela. Seahorses have always struck curiosity in the way they reproduce. The common misconception being the males become pregnant. Rather after extensive courtship displays, including days of swimming together, interlocking tails, and even changing colour, only then will the female lay her eggs in the pouch of the male. When the 100 - 200 eggs hatch within the male's pouch they race out into the world as seemingly microscopic seahorses.

Blue Cannon Jelly

Sun, 03 Jul 2011 07:22 -0800

Stomolophus meleagris - The Blue Cannonball Jelly is prominently found from North America’s eastern seaboard to as far south as Brazil. However, they have been found throughout the Pacific and mid west Atlantic. During the fall months in the Gulf Coast cannonball jellies account for over 16% of the biomass in the shallow inshore areas. Thought they have no true stinging tentacles, the cannonballs are able to secrete mucus that contains a strong toxin. This toxin is an immediate deterrent to small fish and would usually drive away any potential predators. In humans this toxin can cause severe cardiac problems. Of course not everything is driven away by the cannonball’s toxin; they’re a main source of food for leatherback sea turtles as they migrate north along the coast from the Caribbean.