Chasing life below the surface
Chasing life below the surface
While most people associate spring with blooming flowers and birdsong, I found my seasonal rhythm a few meters below the surface. This year, my focus shifted to something smaller — and far more fragile. Over the course of several weeks, I dedicated my dives to observing the earliest life stages of fish: eggs, larvae, and the complex behaviors surrounding their development.
Armed with my camera, I returned again and again to the same locations, tracking subtle changes in underwater nests — often barely visible to the untrained eye. What started as curiosity quickly became a full-on investigation into how different species reproduce, protect, and sometimes compete for space and survival.
Two species became central to this journey. The European perch (Perca fluviatilis), a native freshwater predator, produces long, gelatinous egg ribbons that shimmer between the aquatic plants. I followed these delicate structures from the moment they were laid until the larvae wriggled free.
Alongside the perch, I studied the tubenose goby (Proterorhinus semilunaris) — a recent newcomer to our waters, known for its stealthy invasion and aggressive nesting behavior. Watching their nests emerge, often in unexpected places, added a whole new dimension to my dives.
Rather than chasing the perfect image, this spring became about patience and presence. Observing how water temperature, light, and even vegetation influenced development gave me a deeper appreciation for the balance of freshwater ecosystems — and how easily that balance can shift.
This period of focused observation has given me an abundance of footage, notes, and new questions. It marked a step away from pure aesthetics toward storytelling, and perhaps even science. I’m now working on how to bring all of this together — through images, articles, and maybe something more.
Sometimes, the smallest lives tell the biggest stories. And it turns out, they’re right beneath our fins.
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