alaskan

All 5 species of Pacific salmon spawn in Alaskan streams,starting about late in June and ending by late September (depending on the stream).Haines has even winter run but that is an exception.
After their spawning mission is accomplished,all salmons die slow and agonizing death.The salmon streams get very smelly,dead fish everywhere.Usually they turn into piles of maggots,not a sight for the squeamish.This year it was somehow different,no maggots but the corpses were covered with some kind of white velvety fungus.
Why would somebody take such ugly photos? Well it is the circle of life and usually you do not see this ugly side of nature anywhere.I have been accused in the past of taking only "pretty pictures" so this should balance it out.It is a dirty (and let me tell you SMELLY) job but somebody has to do it I guess.
Actually I did not go to this area to photograph dead fish,I was after photos of fragile mushrooms.I did not find any so I had to photograph something else as not to waste my trip.
If you ever visit a salmon stream after the run be sure to bring nose plugs and do not go there before meal time. :roll:

This photo appears out of focus but it is not so.This pair is still submerged,covered with the white fungus.


Freshly departed.


Pat`s creek monster.


Illuminated by the setting sun.

dirtpusher Loc: tulsa oklahoma

good documet.

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

After visiting Alaska, I thought this is what would happen.
Just never heard anyone talk about it.
Pat

Singing Swan

Wow, that skeleton could make you think you'd found a dinosaur. These might not be your usual subject but they are your usual caliber. Thanks....you take me places I could never get to in person.....I can almost smell the stinky rot.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Very informative series and write up. You're correct in that this aspect of nature is not featured in many places.
--Bob

dfalk Loc: Chugiak, Alaska

Late run Salmon certainly demonstrate the instinctive drive in nature. I've seen literally rotting fish still swimming up stream, eyes gone, fins eroded away, larger ulcers in the body...but still swiming slowly upstream.

Ronbo Loc: Okanagan falls BC. Canada

Real nice set. My brain actually brought up the scents of the spawning fish...

alaskan

Thanks Dirtpusher.

alaskan

As they say "one picture is worth 1000 words". :lol:
Thanks Pat.

alaskan

Now and then I attempt to show how Alaska looks like "behind the scene".The real Alaska you do not see from a cruise ship.Thanks Singing Swan.

alaskan

Thank you Bob for looking and leaving a comment.

alaskan

True,at that stage they can be caught by hand and they really do not care any more..
Thanks for your comment.

alaskan

Thank you Ronbo.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

Good information. Pat's creek Monster is fantastic.

colo43 Loc: Eastern Plains of Colorado

interesting info and photos. Thank you.