Florida Underwater // How I Shot Sturgeon in the Suwannee River [VIDEO

Featuring Bill Hawthorne

Gulf sturgeon are migratory, feeding in the saltwater Gulf of Mexico through winters and taking a summer vacation in Florida's freshwater streams to spawn. The dark, tannic waters typically make it a challenge to see, let alone photograph, the wildlife lurking in its depths.

While Florida suffers Bill Hawthorne, an Aquatic Ecologist and Underwater Photographer, ventured into the Suwannee River during the worst drought in 14 years to find that the fog had lifted on these ancient, prehistoric fish.

If you'd like to read the article version of this video, scroll down.

Once in a Lifetime Opportunity

In the midst of a near 20-year drought, the Suwannee River has cleared up to the most clear I've ever seen in my entire life. Normally sturgeon are in super dark water and I can't even see them at all. But with conditions as they are it's a prime opportunity to try to photograph these fish underwater.

Florida Underwater // How I Shot Sturgeon in the Suwannee River [VIDEO] © Bill Hawthorne

This image was captured with the Sony PZ 16-35mm camera which is wide enough to capture good habitat shots and pleasing light rays. // Sony a7CR + Sony PZ 16-35mm Lens at 16mm • 1/50 • f/11 • ISO 500 © Bill Hawthorne

Sturgeon Jumping

First I wanted to get some long lens shots of sturgeon jumping. So I set up my tripod and camera right up to my eye for a beautiful line of sight to watch the sturgeon jump. Sturgeon jumping takes a lot of patience but it's really worth it. Seeing the giant fish jump completely out of the air is an incredible sight to behold.

If you're looking to catch quick action like this, try burst shooting. // Sony a7CR + Simga 500mm Lens • 1/4000 • f/5.6 • ISO 3200 © Bill Hawthorne

My Underwater Photo Gear

Underwater I shot with the Sony a7CR in the Ikelite DLM/A housing, which is super nice when moving through water, especially while freediving and in really high currents. I used it with the DS232 Strobes. These are my favorite strobes. They're super bright. They throw off a really even, nice light and they have an incredible recharge rate. So I can take lots of photos in a short sequence and all of them will have the same power which is super nice. I also shot with the Sony 16-35mm F4 PZ lens behind the Ikelite 8" dome port, it's wide enough where you can get these really cool habitat shots.

Watch What's in My Underwater Photography Gear Bag for a deeper dive on this compact but powerful underwater setup. © Bill Hawthorne

Approach Strategies

There were sturgeon everywhere down there. I was hoping I'd see a couple, but they were all over the place, this is such an amazing opportunity. These fish only come into this river for a few months of the year. And to see them in this clear water is something truly spectacular.

Sony a7CR + Sony PZ 16-35mm Lens at 16mm • 1/25 • f/11 • ISO 320 © Bill Hawthorne

It's really neat diving in the Suwannee River. There's really fast current. The sturgeon are just facing straight up into the current. So what I tried to do is swim way upstream and then dive down, swim along the bottom with the current. And when I run into one, snap some pictures.

A lot of times they don't like the sound of my belly scraping against the sand. They also don't like fast movements. But if I really go slow and just kinda cruise right along the bottom without making any noise, I can get some really neat shots and get pretty close, get my camera pointed up towards the sun, get some of those really nice sunbursts. I'm really happy with how these shots turned out.

Sony a7CR + Sony PZ 16-35mm Lens at 16mm • 1/50 • f/22 • ISO 500 © Bill Hawthorne

Conditions in the Suwannee River

That was an incredible day. I still can't get over how clear that water was. This river is really affected by the rain and I'm sure the next rainfall we get, it's gonna turn the river coffee and you won't be able to see a thing. I was really happy with a lot of the photos I was able to take. My kit worked out amazing, being nice and small and compact was really helpful in that strong current.

Equipment Used

Additional Viewing

My Freshwater Ikelite System for Sony a7CR with Ecko Strobes // Bill Hawthorne's Underwater Photography Gear [VIDEO]

What Secrets Lurk Underwater in the Florida Springs at Night?

Underwater Photography Tips in Freshwater Florida Springs [VIDEO]

From Research to Outreach: Underwater Photography as a Tool for Science

Creature Feature: Hellbender Salamander

Bill Hawthorne is an aquatic ecologist specializing in the study of the freshwater springs of Florida. Bill focuses his studies and photography on freshwater species, most notably turtles. By sharing his underwater images, Bill hopes he'll expand his viewers' passion toward these unique environments and animals. Check out more of his work on his website, Instagram @billhawthornephotography, TikTok, and YouTube.

Florida Underwater // How I Shot Sturgeon in the Suwannee River [VIDEO]