Beach Spawning
Redd excavation
With her alpha male guarding behind her, a female Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) excavates her redd during preparation to beach spawn in Eyak Lake, Alaska.
ActinopterygiiAlaskaChordataClass ActinopterygiiInfraclass TeleosteiNeopterygiiOncorhynchus nerkaPacific salmonPhylum ChordataRed SalmonRunning Bear CreekSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSockeye SalmonSouth Central AlaskaSubclass NeopterygiiSummerTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebratebeach spawningchordatefish behaviornear Cordovaredd excavationunderwater
Beach spawning act
Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) in the act of beach spawning in Eyak Lake, Alaska.
ActinopterygiiAlaskaChordataClass ActinopterygiiInfraclass TeleosteiNeopterygiiOncorhynchus nerkaPacific salmonPhylum ChordataRed SalmonRunning Bear CreekSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSockeye SalmonSouth Central AlaskaSubclass NeopterygiiSummerTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebratebeach spawningchordatefish behaviornear Cordovaspawningspawning actspawning behaviorunderwater
Spawning commencement
Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) commencing to beach spawn in Eyak lake, Alaska.
ActinopterygiiAlaskaChordataClass ActinopterygiiCordovaEyak LakeInfraclass TeleosteiNeopterygiiOncorhynchus nerkaPacific salmonPhylum ChordataPrince William SoundRed SalmonRunning Bear CreekSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSockeye SalmonSouth Central AlaskaSubclass NeopterygiiSummerTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebratebeach spawningchordatefish behaviornear Cordovaspawningspawning actspawning behaviorunderwater
Covering redd
Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) pair following beach spawning in Eyak lake, Alaska
ActinopterygiiAlaskaChordataClass ActinopterygiiInfraclass TeleosteiNeopterygiiOncorhynchus nerkaPacific salmonPhylum ChordataRed SalmonRunning Bear CreekSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSeacam underwater housingSockeye SalmonSouth Central AlaskaSubclass NeopterygiiSummerTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebratebeach spawningchordatecovering reddfish behaviornear Cordovaspawning behaviorunderwater
Gametes mingling
Eggs and sperm mingle as Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) beach spawn in Eyak lake, Alaska.
ActinopterygiiAlaskaChordataClass ActinopterygiiInfraclass TeleosteiNeopterygiiOncorhynchus nerkaPacific salmonPhylum ChordataRed SalmonRunning Bear CreekSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSeacam underwater housingSockeye SalmonSouth Central AlaskaSubclass NeopterygiiSummerTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebratebeach spawningchordatefish behaviornear Cordovaspawningspawning actspawning behaviorunderwater
Beach spawning act
Sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) commencing to beach spawn in Eyak Lake, Alaska. Eggs being extruded into redd pocket. Shoreline is to the left (note alge on rocks visible through male's gape.
ActinopterygiiAlaskaChordataClass ActinopterygiiInfraclass TeleosteiNeopterygiiOncorhynchus nerkaPacific salmonPhylum ChordataRedRed SalmonRunning Bear CreekSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSeacam underwater housingSockeye SalmonSouth Central AlaskaSubclass NeopterygiiSummerTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebratebeach spawningchordatefish behaviornear Cordovaspawningspawning actspawning behaviorunderwater
Beach spawning act
Sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) commencing to beach spawn in Eyak Lake, Alaska. First eggs being extruded into redd pocket. Shoreline is to the left (note alge on rocks visible through male's gape.
ActinopterygiiAlaskaChordataClass ActinopterygiiInfraclass TeleosteiNeopterygiiOncorhynchus nerkaPacific salmonPhylum ChordataRedRed SalmonRunning Bear CreekSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSeacam underwater housingSockeye SalmonSouth Central AlaskaSubclass NeopterygiiSummerTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebratebeach spawningchordatefish behaviornear Cordovaspawningspawning actspawning behaviorunderwater
Beach spawning act
Sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) commencing to beach spawn in Eyak Lake, Alaska. Female making final anal fin probe into spawning pocket before extruding eggs. Shoreline is to the left (note alge on rocks visible through male's gape).
ActinopterygiiAlaskaChordataClass ActinopterygiiInfraclass TeleosteiNeopterygiiOncorhynchus nerkaPacific salmonPhylum ChordataRedRed SalmonRunning Bear CreekSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSeacam underwater housingSockeye SalmonSouth Central AlaskaSubclass NeopterygiiSummerTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebratebeach spawningchordatefish behaviornear Cordovaspawningspawning actspawning behaviorunderwater
Redd excavation
Sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) redd excavation prior to beach spawning in Eyak Lake, Alaska. Female excavates the redd by making rapid body undulations. Shoreline is to the left.
ActinopterygiiAlaskaChordataClass ActinopterygiiCordovaEyak LakeInfraclass TeleosteiNeopterygiiOncorhynchus nerkaPacific salmonPhylum ChordataPrince William SoundRed SalmonRunning Bear CreekSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSeacam underwater housingSockeye SalmonSouth Central AlaskaSubclass NeopterygiiSummerTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebratebeach spawningchordatefish behaviornear Cordovaredd excavationunderwater
Redd excavation
Sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) redd excavation prior to beach spawning in Eyak Lake, Alaska. Female excavates the redd by making rapid body undulations. Shoreline is to the left.
ActinopterygiiAlaskaChordataClass ActinopterygiiCordovaEyak LakeInfraclass TeleosteiNeopterygiiOncorhynchus nerkaPacific salmonPhylum ChordataPrince William SoundRed SalmonRunning Bear CreekSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSeacam underwater housingSockeye SalmonSouth Central AlaskaSubclass NeopterygiiSummerTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebratebeach spawningchordatefish behaviornear Cordovaredd excavationunderwater
Probing
As her alpha male comes alongside, a female Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) uses her anal fin to probe her redd prior to beach spawning in Eyak Lake, Alaska. The shoreline is to the left in this image.
ActinopterygiiAlaskaChordataClass ActinopterygiiCordovaEyak LakeInfraclass TeleosteiNeopterygiiOncorhynchus nerkaPacific salmonPhylum ChordataPrince William SoundRed SalmonRunning Bear CreekSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSeacam underwater housingSockeye SalmonSouth Central AlaskaSubclass NeopterygiiSummerTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebratebeach spawningbiospherechordatefish behaviornaturenear Cordovaprobingsalmon habitatspawning behaviorunderwaterwildwild salmon
Rejection
A female Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynhus nerka) attacks an unwanted intruding male while she is in the process of preparing her redd to beach spawn in Eyak Lake, Alaska. Her favored alpha male is in the background.
ActinopterygiiAlaskaChordataClass ActinopterygiiCordovaEyak LakeInfraclass TeleosteiNeopterygiiOncorhynchus nerkaPacific salmonPhylum ChordataPrince William SoundRed SalmonRunning Bear CreekSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSeacam underwater housingSockeye SalmonSouth Central AlaskaSubclass NeopterygiiSummerTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebrateaggressionbeach spawningbiospherechordatefish behaviornaturenear Cordovasalmon habitatunderwaterwildwild salmon
Rejection
Female Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) attempts to nudge away an intruding male while preparing her redd to beach spawn in Eyak Lake, Alaska
ActinopterygiiAlaskaChordataClass ActinopterygiiCordovaEyak LakeInfraclass TeleosteiNeopterygiiOncorhynchus nerkaPacific salmonPhylum ChordataPrince William SoundRed SalmonRunning Bear CreekSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSeacam underwater housingSockeye SalmonSouth Central AlaskaSubclass NeopterygiiSummerTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebrateaggressionbeach spawningbiospherechordatefish behaviornaturenear Cordovasalmon habitatunderwaterwildwild salmon
Circular swimming
Female Sockeye salmon circles back towards her redd during its excavation in preparation for beach spawning in Eyak Lake, Alaska.
ActinopterygiiAlaskaChordataClass ActinopterygiiCordovaEyak LakeInfraclass TeleosteiNeopterygiiOncorhynchus nerkaPacific salmonPhylum ChordataPrince William SoundRed SalmonRunning Bear CreekSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSeacam underwater housingSockeye SalmonSouth Central AlaskaSubclass NeopterygiiSummerTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebratebeach spawningbiospherechordatefish behaviornaturenear Cordovasalmon habitatunderwaterwildwild salmon
Staging Sockeye Salmon
Male Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) staging in beach spawning habitat in Eyak lake, Alaska
ActinopterygiiAlaskaChordataClass ActinopterygiiCordovaEyak LakeInfraclass TeleosteiNeopterygiiOncorhynchus nerkaPacific salmonPhylum ChordataPrince William SoundRed SalmonRunning Bear CreekSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSockeye SalmonSouth Central AlaskaSubclass NeopterygiiSummerTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebratebeach spawningbiospherechordatefish behaviornaturenear Cordovasalmon habitatstagingunderwaterwildwild salmon
Redd excavation
A partially spawned-out female Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) excavates her redd while beach spawning in Eyak lake, Alaska.
ActinopterygiiAlaskaChordataClass ActinopterygiiCordovaEyak LakeInfraclass TeleosteiNeopterygiiOncorhynchus nerkaPacific salmonPhylum ChordataPrince William SoundRed SalmonRunning Bear CreekSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSockeye SalmonSouth Central AlaskaSubclass NeopterygiiSummerTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebratebeach spawningbiospherechordatefish behaviornaturenear Cordovaredd excavationsalmon habitatunderwaterwildwild salmon
The gathering
Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) staging prior to beach spawning near the mouth of a small creek in Eyak Lake, Alaska.
ActinopterygiiAlaskaChordataClass ActinopterygiiCordovaEyak LakeInfraclass TeleosteiNeopterygiiOncorhynchus nerkaPacific salmonPhylum ChordataPrince William SoundRed SalmonRunning Bear CreekSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSockeye SalmonSouth Central AlaskaSubclass NeopterygiiSummerTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebratebeach spawningbiospherechordatefish behaviornaturenear Cordovasalmon habitatstagingunderwaterwildwild salmon
The gathering
Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) staging prior to beach spawning near the mouth of a small creek in Eyak Lake, Alaska.
ActinopterygiiAlaskaChordataClass ActinopterygiiCordovaEyak LakeInfraclass TeleosteiNeopterygiiOncorhynchus nerkaPacific salmonPhylum ChordataPrince William SoundRed SalmonRunning Bear CreekSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSockeye SalmonSouth Central AlaskaSubclass NeopterygiiSummerTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebratebeach spawningbiospherechordatefish behaviornaturenear Cordovasalmon habitatstagingunderwaterwildwild salmon
Beach spawning topside
Topside view of Sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) beach spawning site in Eyak Lake, Alaska. Absence of algae indicative of a redd excavation activity or wave action (at shoreline).
ActinopterygiiAlaskaChordataClass ActinopterygiiCordovaEyak LakeInfraclass TeleosteiNeopterygiiOncorhynchus nerkaPacific salmonPhylum ChordataPrince William SoundRed SalmonRunning Bear CreekSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSockeye SalmonSouth Central AlaskaSubclass NeopterygiiSummerTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebratebeach spawningbiospherechordatefish behaviornaturenear Cordovasalmon habitattopsidewildwild salmon
Beach spawning topside
Topside view of Sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) beach spawning site in Eyak lake, Alaska with camera set up. Note speed limit sign indicating road trhat follows lake shoreline.
ActinopterygiiAlaskaChordataClass ActinopterygiiCordovaEyak LakeInfraclass TeleosteiNeopterygiiOncorhynchus nerkaPacific salmonPhylum ChordataPrince William SoundRed SalmonRunning Bear CreekSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSockeye SalmonSouth Central AlaskaSubclass NeopterygiiSummerTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebratebeach spawningbiospherechordatefish behaviornaturenear Cordovasalmon habitattopsidewildwild salmon
Beach spawning topside
Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) on beach spawning redds along the shore of Eyak Lake, Alaska near an unamed creek. Redd depressions appear dark rather than the glacial green of offshore waters seen in the background due to seepage of groundwater that makes this site conducive to beach spawning.
Beach spawning Sockeye Salmon
Sockeye Salmon a.k.a. Red Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) preparing to beach spawn in Eyak Lake, Alaska during the summer.
ActinopterygiiAlaskaChordataClass ActinopterygiiCordovaEyak LakeInfraclass TeleosteiNeopterygiiOncorhynchus nerkaPacific salmonPhylum ChordataPrince William SoundRed SalmonSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSeacam underwater housingSockeye SalmonSouth Central AlaskaSubclass NeopterygiiSummerTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebratebeach spawningbiospherechordatefish behaviorin situnaturalworldnaturesalmon habitatunderwaterunderwaterphotowildwild salmon
Beach spawning
Topside view of Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) beach spawning in Eyak Lake, Alaska during the summer. Polecam used to take underwater photographs is seen.
ActinopterygiiAlaskaChordataClass ActinopterygiiCoho SalmonCordovaEyak LakeHumpback SalmonInfraclass TeleosteiNeopterygiiOncorhynchus gorbuschaOncorhynchus kisutchOncorhynchus nerkaPacific salmonPhylum ChordataPink SalmonPrince William SoundRed SalmonSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSalvelinus malmaSalvelinus malma lordiSeacam underwater housingSilver SalmonSockeye SalmonSouth Central AlaskaSubclass NeopterygiiSummerTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebratebeach spawningbiospherechordatefish behaviorin situnaturalworldnatureprobingsalmon habitatspawning behaviorunderwaterunderwater techniqueunderwaterphotowildwild salmon
Beach spawning
Topside view of Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) beach spawning in Eyak Lake, Alaska during the summer. Polecam used to take underwater photographs is seen.
ActinopterygiiAlaskaChordataClass ActinopterygiiCoho SalmonCordovaEyak LakeHumpback SalmonInfraclass TeleosteiNeopterygiiOncorhynchus gorbuschaOncorhynchus kisutchOncorhynchus nerkaPacific salmonPhylum ChordataPink SalmonPrince William SoundRed SalmonSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSalvelinus malmaSalvelinus malma lordiSeacam underwater housingSilver SalmonSockeye SalmonSouth Central AlaskaSubclass NeopterygiiSummerTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebratebeach spawningbiospherechordatefish behaviorin situnaturalworldnatureprobingsalmon habitatspawning behaviorunderwaterunderwater techniqueunderwaterphotowildwild salmon
Beach spawning
Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) beach spawning in Eyak Lake, Alaska during the summer.
ActinopterygiiAlaskaChordataClass ActinopterygiiCoho SalmonCordovaEyak LakeHumpback SalmonInfraclass TeleosteiNeopterygiiOncorhynchus gorbuschaOncorhynchus kisutchOncorhynchus nerkaPacific salmonPhylum ChordataPink SalmonPrince William SoundRed SalmonSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSalvelinus malmaSalvelinus malma lordiSeacam underwater housingSilver SalmonSockeye SalmonSouth Central AlaskaSubclass NeopterygiiSummerTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebratebeach spawningbiospherechordatefish behaviorin situnaturalworldnatureprobingsalmon habitatspawning behaviorunderwaterunderwaterphotowildwild salmon
Beach spawning
Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) beach spawning in Eyak Lake, Alaska during the summer.
ActinopterygiiAlaskaChordataClass ActinopterygiiCoho SalmonCordovaEyak LakeHumpback SalmonInfraclass TeleosteiNeopterygiiOncorhynchus gorbuschaOncorhynchus kisutchOncorhynchus nerkaPacific salmonPhylum ChordataPink SalmonPrince William SoundRed SalmonSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSalvelinus malmaSalvelinus malma lordiSeacam underwater housingSilver SalmonSockeye SalmonSouth Central AlaskaSubclass NeopterygiiSummerTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebratebeach spawningbiospherechordatefish behaviorin situnaturalworldnatureprobingsalmon habitatspawning behaviorunderwaterunderwaterphotowildwild salmon
Beach spawning
Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) beach spawning in Eyak Lake, Alaska during the summer.
ActinopterygiiAlaskaChordataClass ActinopterygiiCoho SalmonCordovaEyak LakeHumpback SalmonInfraclass TeleosteiNeopterygiiOncorhynchus gorbuschaOncorhynchus kisutchOncorhynchus nerkaPacific salmonPhylum ChordataPink SalmonPrince William SoundRed SalmonSalmonidaeSalmoniformesSalmoninaeSalvelinus malmaSalvelinus malma lordiSeacam underwater housingSilver SalmonSockeye SalmonSouth Central AlaskaSubclass NeopterygiiSummerTeleostTeleosteiUnited StatesVertebratebeach spawningbiospherechordatefish behaviorin situnaturalworldnatureprobingsalmon habitatspawning behaviorunderwaterunderwaterphotowildwild salmon