Aquatic Rescue and Birding
Published by Christy under on 10:12 AM
I went hiking yesterday at a local park (well, it's about oh maybe 20 miles from my house) on the Catawba River. The section of the river where this park (Riverbend Park)begins is located next to a dam that is part of our power grid (I believe).

At any rate, the gates had been opened before we arrived to allow more water out into the river. When we came literally to 'the end of the trail' we walked down and out onto some rocks that had been exposed by the receding water line. Looking around I noticed a small fish, a young large mouth bass, laying on the ground and it was still 'trying' to breathe! What a treat! I got to release a fish back into the river!

Now I know to some folks that's no big deal, but hey, who cares! I thought it was pretty darn cool. If we hadn't come by there that little fish would have croaked. And if he or she makes it to adulthood, perhaps it will make a nice catch for a future angler. And after all, it makes you feel good that you helped something to live, however small and insignificant it may seem.

At any rate the hike was great, the weather was fantastic, and I can't wait to go back. I think we covered about 4 miles over varied terrain next to the river, back into some freshwater wetlands, and some lovely 'meadow'/hardwood areas. Didn't see too many birds, although we heard a rather elusive red shouldered hawk making his rounds in a fuss. We also saw and got some pretty decent shots of a Great Blue Heron on the other side of the river. Photos of a GBU are a first for me, so I'm rather pleased. Oh and there were tons of what I think were ring-billed gulls flying about the dam area as well. Overall, a loverly day!

Thanks to 'D.C', the documentary photographer of our 'fish rescue'. :)

At any rate, the gates had been opened before we arrived to allow more water out into the river. When we came literally to 'the end of the trail' we walked down and out onto some rocks that had been exposed by the receding water line. Looking around I noticed a small fish, a young large mouth bass, laying on the ground and it was still 'trying' to breathe! What a treat! I got to release a fish back into the river!
Now I know to some folks that's no big deal, but hey, who cares! I thought it was pretty darn cool. If we hadn't come by there that little fish would have croaked. And if he or she makes it to adulthood, perhaps it will make a nice catch for a future angler. And after all, it makes you feel good that you helped something to live, however small and insignificant it may seem.

At any rate the hike was great, the weather was fantastic, and I can't wait to go back. I think we covered about 4 miles over varied terrain next to the river, back into some freshwater wetlands, and some lovely 'meadow'/hardwood areas. Didn't see too many birds, although we heard a rather elusive red shouldered hawk making his rounds in a fuss. We also saw and got some pretty decent shots of a Great Blue Heron on the other side of the river. Photos of a GBU are a first for me, so I'm rather pleased. Oh and there were tons of what I think were ring-billed gulls flying about the dam area as well. Overall, a loverly day!

Thanks to 'D.C', the documentary photographer of our 'fish rescue'. :)
1 comments:
christy your adventure was a lot of fun and I especially enjoyed the fishy rescue. I go to a local wildlife reserve every chance I get and find the best time to catch any birds or critters is early morning. Like maybe the first couple hours after daybreak.
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