World famous, the mongers at the Pike Place Fish Market, are adept at throwing salmon for customers.
This daily activity of ‘fish throwing’ is a highlight to any visit to the Pike Place Market. A few years ago there was quite a stir around town because animal rights activists said these employees were disrespecting the remains of the dead, dead salmon that is. During the few weeks of heated rhetoric on both sides, the mongers spot on tossing capabilities never waned. They are still spot on these days. When a customer orders a salmon the mongers toss one to another behind the counter for wrapping. Truth is, the salmon they toss all day is the same two or three fish, not the actual one purchased by the customer. At the end of the day the several large salmon are donated to the Woodland Park Zoo, to feed some of the animals there.
Many people when visiting Seattle want to see these guys toss a 20# salmon so they can take pictures. Of course, the tourists aren’t the only ones hoping for that brilliant shot. I’ve been patiently served a number of times, these guys would toss the fish for me to shoot. I just can’t seem to get the right shutter speed to catch the fish crisply in mid flight. They’ve been kind enough several times to toss a half dozen volleys before I say ‘Got it! Thank you!’ But in truth, I don’t have the heart to say I don’t have it. I’m still working on that perfect shot… In fact I may head to the Market this morning, perhaps perfection will happen today!
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‘WEEKLY TOP SHOT’ #59
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Interesting post, Madge. At first I thought maybe the salmon had bounced back into life!
very cool shot! :)
spilling their flying fish secrets. :)
Love the photo! You did a really great job and you captured the moment perfectly. I like that the salmon is a little blurred showing movement. I think if it was clear from a faster shutter speed, it would maybe look like it was suspended in mid air and look too much like all of the objects around it, getting lost in the scenery.
Thanks for letting us see a little piece of the region you live in, I truly appreciate it. :)
I’ve seen it documented on television travel shows. I think it’s great fun and would love to see it some day.
That is exactly what I picture when I think of your neck of the woods! Very cool action shot, Madge.
This reminds me of the pizza makers, who throw the dough up in the air, etc. Great shot!
I would have never guessed that they were just throwing around non-usable fish – good to hear it is donated to the local zoo. As for debate – haters gonna hate! Pretty good shot even if not that crisp, tack sharp one you are striving for. (I’m also kinda in the same corner as Jolie in that it is good to have some motion blur otherwise the fish looks like it is just hanging in mid-air.)
Nice photo of a flying salmon. Animal rights activists do some good work. In this case they were just plain stupid worrying about a dead fish.
That fishy action is almost stopped. It is a great shot. Looks like a lot of fun!
Love the flying fish :)
You will get it one of these days. You have the talent, I believe so..and the tossing of fish looked like fun. We tend to make a big deal out of nothing sometimes.
I remember watching a video about this fish market during one of the training sessions in the corporation I worked for. It was about team work, enthusiasm, personal engagement and all those things corporations love to talk about. The corporate speak and culture notwithstanding, the video was great. I loved how they threw the fish around and how they were having fun working.
I can almost smell the ocean from here. :) Thanks for hosting, I love this hop!
Kathy Shea Mormino
The Chicken Chick
I think it’s a GREAT shot even if the fish is a little blurry! Thanks for the “behind the scenes” info about the fish going to the zoo, that is really cool!! :)
Aww. Maybe next time you will capture it better. Nice shot though. :)
Well timed. Thanks for hosting.
Great story and I love the photo! Hope you’re able to catch your perfect shot, but I think it’s pretty great this way too…Thanks for sharing!
Hi! It’s very unteresting photo. I smiled seeing your photo. Thank you very much for sharing with you.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend.
That market is bustling with activity
Hi Madge, the Pike Place Fish Market is so much fun. I’ve seen a video of these guys throwing the fish around, amazing! Great photo! :)
Madge, I am coming out to your area for the chic photography retreat. Are you coming to this since its in your home town?
Laurie
The fish market is always lively and fun!
I love the facial expression on the man with the fish! You’ve really captured the excitement of the moment.
High fives for your high flyin’ fishes post, Madge!! You caught the action all the same and wrapped it up very well with your comments!
The fish story is so interesting. I am for animal activism and rights but I think those people carried it overboard and out to sea with their opinion. It is not a mammal it is a fish- a dead one to be precise. And those guys are doing something good with the fish by donating to a very worthy group/cause/zoo, etc.
I’m certain those dead fish aren’t going to care one bit about being tossed. Some people just like to protest for their own self-serving reasons. The nice thing about the fish not being tack sharp is it conveys the sense of motion. I’m sure you’ll get the shot you want, but I really like this!
You have to love their attitude about their work.
So cool that you got the fish being “thrown” :)
Great action shot, Madge! Thanks for hosting.
Nice shot of the fish in the air!
Great photo… it must be a fun place to visit!
Cool shot! I’m pretty sure that is not a job I could handle. Fish flying at my head? Nada nope!
You are bringing back some fond memories with the salmon tossing. My husband, who is a great cook, loved the market. I had to drag him away after he purchased salmon and some other fish. I thought the shot was great, the salmon in mid-air and all.
You got a great picture of the flying fish! Several years ago I was in Seattle at the Pike’s Place Fish Market and was able to see the flying fish. Those guys are so fun to watch. You photo brings back some fun memories.
Talk about a “catch”!!!!…:)JP
You captured the flying fish pretty well! Makes an interesting surprise shot!
I’ve seen these guys on many ‘team building’ work videos! It’s cool that you got to see it in person! I think I’d try using a sports setting to ‘catch’ the photo.
Interesting. I never would have thought they were tossing the same fish. In fact, I often wondered if this damaged/bruised the fish. Thanks for my daily bit of education.
Ah ha! THIS is the place where the FISH Philosophy began…play, make their day, be there, choose your attitude. A while back, we had a run of this going through the office. This is a great shot. Really enjoyed this post….as usual :) Have a happy week!
Great story…love that they toss the salmon back & forth and at the end of the day donate it for food.
Great photo none the less. Your photos are always great. It’s nice to know you struggle getting that perfect photo too! Helps me feel normal!
i think it’s a great shot and i’m laughing little at you telling them “got it” when in fact you didn’t….i would do the same thing lol….funny about the animal rights people. i’m all for humane treatment for animals, hate to see an animal suffer, but c’mon, disrespectful to the fish? i don’t think so…that’s a little kooky if you ask me! great that they donate it to the zoo!
You have proved that fish can fly, even after dying! :)
Delicious photo, fun, flying fish. Greetings.
Some people will complain about anything! Nice shot!