kind of short on time right now, but hopefully in the near future Richard and myself will be able to add more background to this thread. today marks the 3rd anniversary of the FIRST spotted gar we captured on the spotted gar project.
we had both been tracking/studying/pursuing the species for many years independently, joined forces somewhere around 2003-2004, and finally got an official study underway in spring of 2008.
in short we searched many lakes using various methods, and finally, at one Baw Beese Lake, at the very end of the day, as the sun was going down, and the motor died (kinda used the net to keep propelling the boat to continue shocking) we turned up a lone spotted gar.
for better or worse (i like to think better) it was one of the most exciting events in my life (and i am sure Richard's too)! we were cheering and ridiculously excited...of course we made sure the fish was secure in the live-well before giving high-fives and going nuts (before we realized the boat was drifting into a nearby dock...but i digress).
attached are some pics of "SPG 001"...an interesting note is that we have sampled there again multiple times and never captured another spotted gar...perhaps it was a ghost in the end...or a figment of our imaginations...or better yet a real-life manifestation!
Happy L.oculatus Day!!! (feel free to say that to friends and be entertained by the puzzled looks)--
--solomon
PS-- richard feel free to add any details!
PPS-- i should also add that many of YOU have helped support this research and we very much THANK YOU for that!!!
we had both been tracking/studying/pursuing the species for many years independently, joined forces somewhere around 2003-2004, and finally got an official study underway in spring of 2008.
in short we searched many lakes using various methods, and finally, at one Baw Beese Lake, at the very end of the day, as the sun was going down, and the motor died (kinda used the net to keep propelling the boat to continue shocking) we turned up a lone spotted gar.
for better or worse (i like to think better) it was one of the most exciting events in my life (and i am sure Richard's too)! we were cheering and ridiculously excited...of course we made sure the fish was secure in the live-well before giving high-fives and going nuts (before we realized the boat was drifting into a nearby dock...but i digress).
attached are some pics of "SPG 001"...an interesting note is that we have sampled there again multiple times and never captured another spotted gar...perhaps it was a ghost in the end...or a figment of our imaginations...or better yet a real-life manifestation!
Happy L.oculatus Day!!! (feel free to say that to friends and be entertained by the puzzled looks)--
--solomon
PS-- richard feel free to add any details!
PPS-- i should also add that many of YOU have helped support this research and we very much THANK YOU for that!!!
