2018 was a great year for Salmon photography.
It was the dominant run in the Adams River, as well as good runs in the Campbell River/ Quinsam system. So with the reasonable weather throughout fall, the conditions in the rivers were perfect for shooting. I spent a lot of time this year going for some different images. As the Pink Salmon were starting to spawn in the Quinsam I nailed a couple of good Split images (Over/ Under) of the actual moment of egg release. To get a photo of this moment has taken me many years of practice, and lots of patience. I was more than happy with the two spawning events of Pink Salmon I captured.
Split image of Pink Salmon Spawning
Spawning Pink Salmon with mouths agape in typical fashion
Next It was off to the Harrison and Adams Rivers in October. Chum and sturgeon in the harrison were the focus. And then to Shuswap Lake and the lower portion of the Adams River for the dominant Sockeye run. This event attracts a lot of people, including photographers, and it did not disappoint. Good returns were expected and after a bit late arrival the numbers held up. I focused a lot of my time here on artistic shots of the salmon, and had some good success as well.
Pair of Chum Salmon getting ready to spawn in the Harrison River
Cool reflection of a pair of Sockeye Salmon underneath the surface of the water
A lone Sockeye Salmon swims up the Adams River as wisps of fog cling to the surface
When I returned home to Campbell River it was full on into Chinook and Coho spawning season. I didn’t get lucky with shooting Chinook spawning but still got some interesting images that I was looking for. After several attempts at tracking down these large salmon in spawning areas I was able to culminate the season with a successful sequence of images of Coho Salmon spawning.
Split image of Chinook Salmon in Quinsam River rapids
Chinook salmon racing up Quinsam River
Large male Chinook Salmon in the Quinsam River
Group of colourful Coho Salmon in Quinsam RIver
Split image of Coho Salmon in Quinsam River
Spawning Coho Salmon, Oncorhyncus kisutch, in the Quinsam River
Culmination of the Coho Salmons life as they spawn once and then die.
All in all a pretty good year. I already look forward to next year as I have some plans in place already. I will miss my salmon friends.
To see more of these images go to my salmon galleries Chinook Coho Pink Chum Sockeye