Every spring, spawning bluegill sunfish perform the eternal dance of yin and yang.  The male creates a dish-shaped nest in shallow water by sweeping away debris from the bottom gravel with his tail.  He aggressively defends his nest from incursions by other males, but allows gravid females free entry.  Dancing side by side on the circular nest, male and female bluegills evoke the ta’i chi symbol – yin and yang merging with one another.  Once the female spawns, she abandons the nest, but the male remains to guard the vulnerable eggs and newly hatched fry from predators.

Size:  18 x 14 inches  (2001)

Return to Gallery 6.