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the Hitchhiker


the Hitchhiker
Photo Information
Copyright: David Robert (Dave) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 511 W: 43 N: 656] (2174)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-11-12
Categories: Fish
Camera: NikonD200, AF Nikkor 18-200mm 3.5-5.6
Exposure: f/13.0, 1/750 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2006-11-13 13:43
Viewed: 2103
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 28
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The Hitchhiker
Lamprey Petromyzontiformes
for JeanMarie aka Nephrotome2

This picture shows an adult lamprey feasting off of a trout trying to jump the falls at Dry Run Creek.
The lamprey are fairly common as you can see this is my second picture showing one attached to its host.
This shot more clearly shows the lamprey as the "cynosure" of the shot.
You can even see its lip-ring if you look close at the point of attachment to the trout.
I called my friends at Riley's Station to first find out what was attached to the trout in my other picture: "Off to the Races".
Michelle told me it was a lamprey and that they freak most fishermen out, but they are nothing to worry about.



Nearly fifty species of lampreys exist. They are long, eel-like fish that are jawless and parasitic, sucking the blood of other fishes.

Adult lampreys live for a year or two before spawning, and then die soon afterwards.

Unlike hagfishes, with which they were once classified, lampreys have a complete braincase and rudimentary true vertebrae.

Lampreys have a round, suckerlike jawless mouth filled with rows of horny teeth, and a rasplike "tongue."
(See picture at here)
An internal ring of cartilage supports the rim of the mouth.
Although lampreys sometimes prey on small invertebrates, they are better known as predators on fish.
Fastening on to living fish, lampreys rasp into the flesh and feed on the body fluids.
A fish attacked by lampreys may be severely weakened or even killed.



Source of info:
Intro to Lampreys

Additional info:
Off to the Races

Date Time = 2006-11-12 13:37:30
Exposure Time = 1/750"
F Number = F13
Exposure Program = Normal program
ISO Speed Ratings = 800
Focal Length = 170mm
Cropped and sized for TN

Thanks for lookin,

Dave
rufous03, scottevers7, fransie, SelenE, pablominto, SkyF, Nephrotome2, marhowie, cedryk has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To extramundi: Long TimeDave 2 11-14 16:53
To Nephrotome2: You are very welcome!Dave 1 11-14 12:40
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Dave,
The overall quality just keeps getting better every time. Superb colors in detail in the well frozen fast action shot. Just like the Remora fish that attach themselves to sharks. These look a little nastier though.
Scott

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2006-11-13 21:42]

Hello David

Great capture.A nice composition with an added bonus.Excellent timing.Good POV and DOF.The shot has many things going for it,action,interest,and a somewhat difficult subject to photograph.I don't think the lamprey expected to be exposed to the world like that.TFS

Rob

Hi Dave
Very nice photograph indeed. Great exposure. Nice fast shutterspeed nicely stopped the movement of the water and the fish for that matter.
The Lamprey freaks me out to. Even more so now that I know what it is.
Great note - thanks.
TFS
Franscois

Hello David,
I agree... This is not a pleasant sight!
That said, it is a great capture... simply great!
Good details in a difficult situation, image and note are most educational!
Greetings,
Pablo -

  • Great 
  • SkyF Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2234 W: 188 N: 1912] (8073)
  • [2006-11-14 8:38]

Hello David,
wow what an incredible serie of this salmon run. Great shots with very well timed shot. Excellent work.
Sky

Must be the only possibility of a wild scene in which a lamprey can so clearly be seen outside of water.
Incredible action.
This pic is even nicer than the one of yesterday.
(thanks for putting my name in the note)
TFS

Hi David.
I enjoyed very much to see the series of junping fish you posted and found very interesting to watch this lamprey hitchhiking :)
Here we have an specie which reaches 70 Cm. of lenght and it is considered one of our culinary delights, cooked in its onw blood. Its flavour is so special and different that either you love it or you hate it, in my case I love it :)
Best regards, MF & TFS.

Hi Dave,
Amazing capture!
Great action, good detail. Very interesting iamge.
Thanks for sharing!
Chi

Great action shot and title Dave.
I like the added interest of the blood sucking lamprey, it makes the shot. Nice colors, detail, DOF, and well exposed. I still think you might've bumped-up your s-speed to 1/1000th or better...
Thanks mf. Great series :)

Dave,
This one is ONE IN A MILLION.
GREAT image.
Even the parasite is clearly focused.
Love your notes too.
Great pov & dof.
TFS,
Mario.

  • Great 
  • Ken52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 637 W: 98 N: 1242] (4189)
  • [2006-11-22 0:10]

Excellent capture of an action scene and a very unique photo. Nice focus and exposure.

What should i say about them! Fantastic, David! These scenes are quite familiar to me but only in the documentary movies! Wonderful moments that gave you lots of enjoy moments!
Bravo!
Ersin

Excellent capture, you have to feel sorry for the trout dragging the excess weight upstream, never mind being sucked dry!

  • Great 
  • cedryk Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 966 W: 52 N: 1695] (5186)
  • [2006-12-20 20:33]

Hello Dave,
This shot is fantastic! Not only because you caught this salmon but also because of the lamprey!
Great contribution showing what nature is about...
Best greetings,
Michal

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