One of the grand events of the year is the late-summer spawning of the Kokanee. These landlocked sockeye salmon are native to the myriad lakes of western North America. They are plentiful in Kootenay Lake, particularly around the eponymous Kokanee Creek.
The name Kokanee comes from the Okanagan language and refers to the silver colour these fish have for most of their lives. Yet, when spawning their bodies turn red and their heads turns green. [On the etymology of the word, Kokanee, see the comment by Eileen Pearkes, below.]
So far, this year’s run seems to have been later and smaller than usual. Below are some pictures.
Kokanee maintain their positions by gently swimming into the current.
While most fish have red bodies and green heads, a small number have yet to make the full transition from silver.
Males develop brighter colours than females, a hump, hooked jaws, and teeth used for fighting.
This group seems to be peeking out of a shaded portion of the stream.
The Kokanee are not alone in the stream. Here is the parr of a rainbow trout swimming with them. When big enough, the parr will feed on Kokanee eggs, just as the adult rainbows feed on the Kokanee themselves.
And just because the underwater perspective is uncommon, here is another picture.
I’m a close friend of David Hersh. I love your photography. I am curious what you shot these fish with lenswise. Terrific shots.
Arnie, the pictures were not shot with an SLR, but a small six-megapixel camera with limited flexibility and poor light-response. But, it does have a waterproof case and an intervalometer, so I lower the camera into a sunlit stream and wait to see what it might record. The whole thing is amazingly finicky and my yield of satisfactory pictures is remarkably low—under 1%. Those, of course, are the only pictures I post.
Amazing shots! Love the colours and was interesting to read what you shot these photos with.
Hi Alistair
Gorgeous Photos!
Just a little clarification on the origin of the word “kokanee” – it is derived from the Salish language term “kekeni” which means “redfish.” This word was common among several Interior Salish tribes: most locally the Sinixt, also the Okanagan, Methow and Skoyelpi people. The Sinixt called today’s Lasca Creek at Nine Mile Narrows “yakskekeni” – place of many redfish
Eileen, wow. Thank you for that insight.
I think and hope the time and thought you put into this series paid off tenfold.
Excellent photography Alistair.