Darters!

A few pictures of Etheostoma spectabile... or more commonly known to the rest of us average dorks out here in Stickland, The vonderous Orangethroat Darter.








Most people aren't aware these beautiful creatures even exist, though in the creeks and rivers of the flint hills they are incredibly common. They will "dart" under rocks when disturbed and then will cautiously come out to survey the situation. It's hard to believe these comical little characters are in the same family as Walleye and Perch, they're so tiny. The male in the pictures may be the largest I've ever seen, very close to 3 inches long. I'd liked to have gotten a few pictures of Slenderheads or a Freckled Madtom but we didn't see any. Maybe next time!