Wildlife surrounds Elites

During the course of an Elite Series season, Bassmaster photographers find plenty of subjects to shoot beyond anglers and fish.

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<p>Bassmaster Elite Series photographers are some of the best in the business at capturing action on the water at a professional fishing tournament. They spend hours on the water focusing on anglers casting and hopefully catching a fish in dramatic fashion.</p> <p> </p> <p>But during those long days on the water, it’s not only anglers that catch their focus. The lakes the Elites visit are some of the most beautiful in the world, and every once in a while they come across eye-catching wildlife in that natural habitat. The following is a sampling from Lake Seminole, St. Johns River and Table Rock.</p>
Bassmaster Elite Series photographers are some of the best in the business at capturing action on the water at a professional fishing tournament. They spend hours on the water focusing on anglers casting and hopefully catching a fish in dramatic fashion.
 
But during those long days on the water, it’s not only anglers that catch their focus. The lakes the Elites visit are some of the most beautiful in the world, and every once in a while they come across eye-catching wildlife in that natural habitat. The following is a sampling from Lake Seminole, St. Johns River and Table Rock.
When you start in Georgia and Florida, you are almost certain to see a few 'gators laying around.
When you start in Georgia and Florida, you are almost certain to see a few ‘gators laying around.
They have a way of getting your attention.
They have a way of getting your attention.
This is not the time to fall out of the boat.
This is not the time to fall out of the boat.
Turtles, however, are seemingly everywhere, unless it’s early in the year and the water temperature is really cold.
Turtles, however, are seemingly everywhere, unless it’s early in the year and the water temperature is really cold.
What they do see is a lot of is ospreys.
What they do see is a lot of is ospreys.
Some folks refer to the osprey as a sea hawk, a fish eagle, fish hawk or river hawk.
Some folks refer to the osprey as a sea hawk, a fish eagle, fish hawk or river hawk.
They can be found virtually everywhere, but are really prevalent in the southern part of the country.
They can be found virtually everywhere, but are really prevalent in the southern part of the country.
While watching Dean Rojas on St. Johns River, Chris Mitchell heard a commotion behind him. He swung the camera around in time to see an osprey dive into the water, seizing its lunch.
While watching Dean Rojas on St. Johns River, Chris Mitchell heard a commotion behind him. He swung the camera around in time to see an osprey dive into the water, seizing its lunch.
He said he was glad the camera was capturing the attack, because it appeared to the naked eye as a blur.
He said he was glad the camera was capturing the attack, because it appeared to the naked eye as a blur.
Proud of his catch, the osprey circled the boat in triumph.
Proud of his catch, the osprey circled the boat in triumph.
Enough showboating, time to take his meal home...
Enough showboating, time to take his meal home…
...which was fortunately also nearby. Is this the osprey equivalent of holding up a big fish on the Elite Series stage?
…which was fortunately also nearby. Is this the osprey equivalent of holding up a big fish on the Elite Series stage?
Our photographers run across a lot of ospreys.
Our photographers run across a lot of ospreys.
One of the most exciting birds to run across on the water is the bald eagle.
One of the most exciting birds to run across on the water is the bald eagle.
In late winter and early spring, bald eagles are prevalent in the south.
In late winter and early spring, bald eagles are prevalent in the south.
Many of them nest along the banks of our country’s fisheries.
Many of them nest along the banks of our country’s fisheries.
While eagles eat fish and other prey, coots are a favorite part of their diet at certain times of the year.
While eagles eat fish and other prey, coots are a favorite part of their diet at certain times of the year.
Cormorants have become a common bird all over the country. Where fishermen catch fish, so do these birds.
Cormorants have become a common bird all over the country. Where fishermen catch fish, so do these birds.
While not as pretty to look at as some birds...
While not as pretty to look at as some birds…
...They are efficient at catching fish.
…They are efficient at catching fish.
Then there is the Canada goose.
Then there is the Canada goose.
They can get fussy when an angler gets too close.
They can get fussy when an angler gets too close.
Wild turkeys are seen often. Like this jake...
Wild turkeys are seen often. Like this jake…
...that decided to fly across Table Rock Lake.
…that decided to fly across Table Rock Lake.
They share the woods with the ever popular whitetail deer.
They share the woods with the ever popular whitetail deer.
There are always shore birds like these curly bills...
There are always shore birds like these curly bills…
...Or this snowy white egret that isn’t paying much attention to former Classic champ Chris Lane.
…Or this snowy white egret that isn’t paying much attention to former Classic champ Chris Lane.
Or just your standard egret and blue-winged teal.
Or just your standard egret and blue-winged teal.
And the closer you get to the coast, the real bucket-mouths start showing up.
And the closer you get to the coast, the real bucket-mouths start showing up.
The pelican hangs close when fish are being caught.
The pelican hangs close when fish are being caught.