An annual spring event in many New England towns is the return of the herring or Alewives on their journey upstream to spawn. I stopped at the Herring Run today in Pembroke, Massachusetts, the town where I taught Kindergarten 26 years before retiring. I sat down on a rock by the stream and managed to catch this strong fish as it jumped up the natural fish ladder of stones to the next level and test. Many tried, most were swept back downstream where they regroup for another run. This is the first time I have ever 'caught' one with a camera and I'm thrilled. It's addicting, but it was chilly and there is rain on the way the next few days. I'll try again next week, it's really something to see.
From the Pembroke Massachusetts website,
The North River is formed by the junction of the Indian Head River and the Barker River; it flows northeasterly through the towns of Marshfield, Scituate, Norwell, Pembroke and Hanover and flows to the outlet to the Massachusetts Bay. This is where the adult herring fish, know as alewives, begins its journey towards their spawning grounds in Furnace and Oldham Ponds.
Local streams provide a fabulous view of the alewives traveling from the ocean to the freshwater rivers and streams to spawn beginning in April. One can also return and visit these locations to view the juvenile fish passing downstream on their way to the ocean in the late summer and early autumn, usually during August and September.
I retired from public school teaching after happily spending twenty eight years playing in Kindergarten. Now I fill my days watching cat antics, taking endless...
I could almost physically feel the excitement.
Great capture.