Common Carp, Underwater { 52 images } Created 10 Apr 2009
Underwater Images of Common Carp
Occasionally I'm asked what the hardest fish to photograph is. Without a doubt, it's the common carp. It's said that many years ago when a group of scientists set out to test the relative intelligence of various freshwater fresh, carp finished first in the fish IQ test. When encountering carp underwater, one of the first things that's apparent is how keenly aware they are of their environment. They seem to have terrific eyesight and hearing and getting close enough to a carp to take a good picture is a real challenge. While other fish like bass, walleye and even muskie will often let you approach them within 2 feet or so, the carp remains extremely wary and cautious. In Fisherman Magazine agrees, calling carp "the wariest of all freshwater fish, by reason not just of superior brain power, but through their acute senses of hearing, feeling, taste, and vision."
I find it puzzling that in this country carp have such a bad reputation. In Europe, they are revered and held in high regard as the top sport fish. Perhaps European anglers have a better understanding and consequently a deserved appreciation of the unique qualities and intelligence of carp. After spending some time around them in their environment, watching how they swim, feed and react to my presence, it's hard not to feel that carp possess an understanding that transcends what we normally think fish are capable of.
Occasionally I'm asked what the hardest fish to photograph is. Without a doubt, it's the common carp. It's said that many years ago when a group of scientists set out to test the relative intelligence of various freshwater fresh, carp finished first in the fish IQ test. When encountering carp underwater, one of the first things that's apparent is how keenly aware they are of their environment. They seem to have terrific eyesight and hearing and getting close enough to a carp to take a good picture is a real challenge. While other fish like bass, walleye and even muskie will often let you approach them within 2 feet or so, the carp remains extremely wary and cautious. In Fisherman Magazine agrees, calling carp "the wariest of all freshwater fish, by reason not just of superior brain power, but through their acute senses of hearing, feeling, taste, and vision."
I find it puzzling that in this country carp have such a bad reputation. In Europe, they are revered and held in high regard as the top sport fish. Perhaps European anglers have a better understanding and consequently a deserved appreciation of the unique qualities and intelligence of carp. After spending some time around them in their environment, watching how they swim, feed and react to my presence, it's hard not to feel that carp possess an understanding that transcends what we normally think fish are capable of.
