Central Florida Koi Show 2007: Walking Around

[MikeM]

Now, you be the judge. There was a special award for Best Chagoi. Have fun selecting between these two... 2 shots of each:

[MikeM]

Which shade of Cha do you prefer?

While thinking about it, how about a sparklygoi?

[MikeM]

That's some serious sparkle.


Moving along... I'll get back to the Chagoi eventually.... Here is my Kohaku "Angle", who has refused to grow. Well, after thorough examination by Kevin Pham and Ray Abell, the consensus is the she is a he... although he appears female in many respects, the emission of sperm finally told the tale. I'll hold onto him a while, but eventually destined for a home "down the road".

Do you think it would have mattered if the name had been Angel instead of Angle?

[MikeM]

Well, about time for another vendor break, but ...a few more sanke before heading up to the atrium where there were 37 vendor booths.

(I'll get back to the Chagoi...)

[MikeM]

In one corner of the atrium, we had A&C Koi from the Netherlands, Hikari, Eastern Nishikigoi, KoiUSA (so well represented by Brenda Atwell) and Jason Schley of Schley's Bonsai.

A&C was a very curious vendor... nothing was for sale! The tank of koi were for display only, and photos posted on the wall depicted oyagoi back in Holland. They could have easily sold every fish.

Brenda was selling subscriptions like crazy, plus lots of books, T-shirts, etc. in support of the AKCA.

The vendor I worried over was Jason. I so wanted him to do well so he would return in the future. He sold a few trees and a few books. I didn't think it was quite enough. Then on Sunday folks who had been looking all weekend returned to buy. He at least covered all his expenses, plus a little, and had a lot of folks picking up his card and chatting about the classes he gives. A young fellow who spouted so many Japanese terms for different styles that I knew it was best to just absorb what he said. In the rush on Sunday afternoon, I missed out on getting a book he had on moss gardening. He's gotta come back next year so I can buy that book!

[MikeM]

Back to the Chagoi... The first one posted is HenryC's 34+" Chagoi he acquired a little over 2 years ago from Nisei Koi Farm at about 20" (I think??). Notice how the brown is taking on a greenish sheen...more obvious in these photos than in person, but even in person the color is shifting subtly. She won the Best Chagoi award.

The second one was golden brown and just as impressive, albeit smaller. There were other Chagoi in the show, but it was these two that made it worthwhile to give a special award. I wish it were possible to have had them in an eight-foot tank together. Their strength, gracefulness and wonderful conformation made them poetry in motion. Carp are a special fish.

[MikeM]

Still more koi to go....tomorrow.

[dick benbow]

enjoying your walk around mike, thanks....besure and walk more slowly and talk a lot more! LOL

[MikeM]

Here is the Jumbo Champ, a Shiro Utsuri owned by Martin Wilcox. This gal took GC at the Naples show last November. Her Sumi was a bit "down" during the show, but still an impressive animal.

[MikeM]

A smaller, but very nice Shiro with intense sumi... seen above with the Chagoi. This one is HenryC's. He has been raising her for a little over 2 years. She keeps growing and looking better.