As they continue their journey from that Sargasso Sea and move more fully into freshwater, juvenile American eels start to gain pigmentation and turn from translucent “glass eels” into “elvers.” Dams remain a significantly obstacle, greatly reducing their ability to reach freshwater habitat.
In late August, photographer Tommy Hakiel anchored his boat in Champlin Creek in Islip, just off the eastern shore of the Seatuck National Wildlife Refuge. He was on the lookout for birds to photograph, but suddenly found himself in the midst of a battle for fishing rights. The fracas was between two female Belted Kingfishers. The collection below is his photo essay from the nearly 45-minute encounter …