Amia

Inquisitive in nature, Bowfin will often swim over to investigate once they detect you in their territory. They seem to lose interest easily though, so you've got to take advantage of the encounter.BowfinAmia calvaMorrison Springs County ParkWalton County Florida, USAOlympus OM-D E-M5 Mark IIOlympus 14-42mm II R LensPT-EP13 Underwater Housing, PPZR-EP02 Lens Port & 14-42mm Zoom Gear9 April 2019

Yet another trip to Baltzell leads to even bigger Bowfin in the spring run. We encountered one near the spring head, and this behemoth in the run. On this latest excursion, although the run is shallower than previous trips, it seems to yield something interesting every inch of the way. Baltzell SpringsChiopla River Water Management Area, Northwest Florida Water Management District (NWFWMD), Jackson County Florida, USASeaLife DC1400 Sea Dragon 1200 Photo/Video/Dive Light

It's bad enough the Bowfin is often confused with the invasive Northern Snakehead, some of it's nicknames are less than favorable as well.The connotation of being a primitive or relict species isn't always positive.You would think having survived, physiologically unchanged for more than 100 million years, holding it's own with dinosaurs, would get them a little more credit. Their tenacious reputation, adaptability, and clean cut good looks, should get them a little more respect.Someone should at least name a football team named after them.BowfinAmia calvaBaltzell SpringsChiopla River Water Management Area, Northwest Florida Water Management District (NWFWMD)Jackson County Florida, USAOlympus OM-D E-M514-42mm II LensPT-EP08 Underwater Housing, PPO-EP01 Lens Port & 14-42mm Zoom Gear

Unlike on previous occasions, this giant bowfin is more than a little camera shy. I'm still hoping that no eye infection, however horrible, can bring this behemoth down.BowfinIchetucknee Springs State ParkIchetucknee RiverSuwannee and Columbia Counties, Florida, USAOlympus OM-D E-M514-42mm II LensPT-EP08 Underwater Housing, PPO-EP01 Lens Port & 14-42mm Zoom Gear

Ever since the giant bruiser disappeared sometime after 2016, there's been a big hole around the little spring.BowfinAmia calvaIchetucknee Springs State ParkIchetucknee RiverSuwannee and Columbia Counties, Florida, USAOlympus OM-D E-M5 Mark IIOlympus 14-42mm II R LensPT-EP13 Underwater Housing, PPZR-EP02 Lens Port & 14-42mm Zoom Gear4 April 2017Phil's 1stPix Instagram Phil's 1stpix InstagramPhil's 1stPix on iNaturalist-Observation Map iNaturalist: ObservationsPhil's 1stPix on iNaturalist- Species Grid iNaturalist: Species

At first, I was excited to see this big Bowfin again, but as soon as it turned around, I was shocked to see this side.Seemed a little sluggish, and wary of me; it dashed in and hid in the reeds as soon as it realized I was there.Whatever kind of injury or infections it is, it looks terrible, and It appears to be completely blind on that side. I can't imagine it will heal on it's own, but hopefully whatever the ailment is doesn't bring the whole beast down.BowfinIchetucknee Springs State ParkIchetucknee RiverSuwannee and Columbia Counties, Florida, USAOlympus OM-D E-M514-42mm II LensPT-EP08 Underwater Housing, PPO-EP01 Lens Port & 14-42mm Zoom Gear

Even amidst the bright green vegetation, this Bowfin blends in well in the shallows of the spring run. Baltzell SpringsChiopla River Water Management Area, Northwest Florida Water Management District (NWFWMD), Jackson County Florida, USASeaLife DC1400

I was thrilled to spot this big 'un in the same spot, 5 months after I'd first seen a behemoth here.Judging from the location, markings, and the fact that it's unlikely the first had a twin, it must be the same monster.BowfinAmia calvaIchetucknee Springs State ParkIchetucknee RiverSuwannee and Columbia Counties, Florida, USAOlympus OM-D E-M514-42mm II LensPT-EP08 Underwater Housing, PPO-EP01 Lens Port & 14-42mm Zoom GearPhil's 1stPix on 500px

After coming across this big Bowfin on two separate occasions, I was able to get a decent look, but have no idea what that growth is sticking out of it's mouth.Other than that, it looked and acted perfectly healthy.Alexander Springs Recreation AreaOcala National ForestLake County FloridaOlympus OM-D E-M514-42mm II LensPT-EP08 Underwater Housing, PPO-EP01 Lens Port & 14-42mm Zoom GearSea Life Sea Dragon 2000 Underwater Photo Light

This behemoth closed in from around one of the many smaller springs that sprout up from the river bed. Once it realized I'm too big to swallow, and not much of interest, it slipped into the reeds, out of sight.Ichetucknee Springs State ParkIchetucknee RiverSuwannee and Columbia Counties, Florida, USAOlympus OM-D E-M514-42mm II LensPT-EP08 Underwater Housing, PPO-EP01 Lens Port & 14-42mm Zoom GearSeaLife Sea Dragon 2000 Underwater Photo Light

Unfortunately, the big Bowfin that used to frequent here was nowhere to be seen. It looks like this behemoth in training has taken up residence in it's place. Life goes on...Down right alarming, though, is the outbreak of algae that is clinging to everything and anything around the rim of the spring head. BowfinAmia calvaIchetucknee Springs State ParkIchetucknee RiverSuwannee and Columbia Counties, Florida, USAOlympus OM-D E-M514-42mm II LensPT-EP08 Underwater Housing, PPO-EP01 Lens Port & 14-42mm Zoom Gear

If you play your cards right, Bowfin will swim right up and greet you. They seem to lose interest easily, but for a few seconds- you're just another relict. BowfinAmia calvaManatee Springs State ParkChiefland, Levy County Florida, USAOlympus OM-D E-M5 Mark IIOlympus 14-42mm II R LensPT-EP13 Underwater Housing, PPZR-EP02 Lens Port & 14-42mm Zoom Gear

These prehistoric fish can still give you a run for your money, and I could barely keep the camera steady on it. I'm sure it could have easily left me behind, but settled on making a few passes and weaving itself in and out of the vegetation and stumps below. The Baltzell Springs Group (AKA Bosel, or Bozell Springs) near Marianna, is just upstream from the boundary of Florida Caverns State Park on the Chipola River.SeaLife DC1400

In the summer months, BSSP gets crowded fast, and 2021 will certainly be one for the record books. Everybody and their grandmother was there, no later than 0800.Boy was this battered bruiser a sight for sore eyes...BowfinAmia calvaBlue Springs State ParkOrange City, Volusia County Florida, USA Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark IIOlympus 14-42mm II LensPT-EP13 Underwater Housing, PPZR-EP02 Lens Port & 14-42mm Zoom Gear9 July 2021#1stPixBowfin

Back in it's prime, this behemoth had the run of a small spring in the Ich River.A school of mullet, and many other fish frequent here, but it's clear who ran the place.The spring is surrounded by vegetation and adjacent to some of the other spring pools near Roaring and Singing Springs.BowfinAmia calvaIchetucknee Springs State ParkIchetucknee RiverSuwannee and Columbia Counties, Florida, USAOlympus OM-D E-M514-42mm II LensPT-EP08 Underwater Housing, PPO-EP01 Lens Port & 14-42mm Zoom Gear

If you approach these bruisers just right, they'll come out for a look. They seem to lose interest easily, but for a few seconds, you can get up close and personal.BowfinAmia calvaBlue Springs State ParkOrange City, Volusia County Florida, USA Olympus OM-D E-M514-42mm II LensPT-EP08 Underwater Housing, PPO-EP01 Lens Port & 14-42mm Zoom Gear

The previous beast that used to frequent this particular spring was hardly shy and relatively easy to approach. This one is a little wary and prefers to hide. Perhaps it will be bolder once it gets a little bigger.BowfinAmia calvaIchetucknee Springs State ParkIchetucknee RiverSuwannee and Columbia Counties, Florida, USAOlympus OM-D E-M514-42mm II LensPT-EP08 Underwater Housing, PPO-EP01 Lens Port & 14-42mm Zoom Gear

In an instant, this Bowfin disappeared down into the grass.Luckily for me it came out just long enough to play for a few seconds.BowfinAmia calvaRainbow RiverMarion County, FloridaOlympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II14-42mm II LensPT-EP13 Underwater Housing, PPZR-EP02 Lens Port & 14-42mm Zoom Gear4 April 2018

This giant has a terrible eye infection that has partially blinded it. I've encountered this behemoth in the same spot several times, and it seemed to be king of this small spring and surrounding pools in the main run. They don't call them the underdogs of the fish world for nothing and I'm sure it can survive with one eye, but the infection could kill it.BowfinIchetucknee Springs State ParkIchetucknee RiverSuwannee and Columbia Counties, Florida, USAOlympus OM-D E-M514-42mm II LensPT-EP08 Underwater Housing, PPO-EP01 Lens Port & 14-42mm Zoom Gear

After sifting through the algae blanket for breakfast, a medium sized Bowfin is off to find something else to do with it's day.Florida Bowfin (Amia calva)Alexander Springs Recreation AreaOcala National ForestLake County FloridaOlympus OM-D E-M514-42mm II LensPT-EP08 Underwater Housing, PPO-EP01 Lens Port & 14-42mm Zoom GearSea Life Sea Dragon 2000 Underwater Photo LightPhil's 1stPix on 500px

Back in it's heyday, this monster had the run of a small spring head in the Ich River.The spring itself is in the main run, and is surrounded by vegetation and adjacent to some of the other spring pools near Roaring and Singing Springs.BowfinAmia calvaIchetucknee Springs State ParkIchetucknee RiverSuwannee and Columbia Counties, Florida, USAOlympus OM-D E-M514-42mm II LensPT-EP08 Underwater Housing, PPO-EP01 Lens Port & 14-42mm Zoom GearPhil's 1stPix on 500px

One of the things I like best about Bowfin, especially the big ones, is that if you approach them just right, they'll come right out at you.They get bored after a few seconds, but it's a chance to get head to head for a moment when they get up close.Blue Springs State ParkOrange City, Volusia County Florida, USA Olympus OM-D E-M514-42mm II LensPT-EP08 Underwater Housing, PPO-EP01 Lens Port & 14-42mm Zoom GearSea Life Sea Dragon 2000 Underwater Photo Light

Although I hardly think the sole surviving member from a group of relict species that dates back to the Triassic period, should be criticized by a lowly human, I would suggest this one might benefit from a hide and seek workshop, maybe a 1-day camouflage seminar? Baltzell SpringsChiopla River Water Management Area, Northwest Florida Water Management District (NWFWMD), Jackson County Florida, USASeaLife DC1400

I couldn't see what it was hunting for, but It didn't seem to mind me watching as it rooted around.After circling around and honing in on the unseen snack, it would dive in and squirm around, and then come up with leaves and algae, spitting that out, and gobbling down whatever was on the menu.I was lucky enough to get in first thing, well before anyone else ruined it and scared everything off, or in. Once they slip in, there's no choice but to wait for them to come back out on their own. Other than this medium Bowfin, I found another large one, with some kind of growth or something on it's lip. Alexander Springs Recreation AreaOcala National ForestLake County FloridaOlympus OM-D E-M514-42mm II LensPT-EP08 Underwater Housing, PPO-EP01 Lens Port & 14-42mm Zoom GearSea Life Sea Dragon 2000 Underwater Photo Light