Bluegill beds around here are usually dark in the middle and light on the edges due to all the silt in the areas they normally chose to make their nest. 

I am just glad this thread wasn't started by Raider.....

 

There is one cove on a lake I fish that has beds much like wayne posted but in an even bigger area.  I have tried to get a picture but it never turns out.  Maybe i will try again this weekend

Silt kills fish eggs, both bass and bluegill, one reason beds are in wind protected areas.

What is interesting is bluegill and bass eggs take about the same length of time to hatch and water temperature determines that. Bass start the spawn earlier in cooler water, about 62-67 degrees, eggs can take 7 to 10 days at that temperature. Bluegill start the spawn about 70 to 75 degrees, eggs take about 4 to 5 days to hatch, warmer the water at the depth the beds are in the faster the eggs hatch for both bass and bluegill.

Bluegill are egg eaters, bass are bluegill eaters and any other live prey.

Shallower a bed is the more problems the fish have protecting the nest site from birds like herons, shallow water is warmer, more susceptible to waves, egg and fish eaters, so it's a double edge sword.

Generally bass beds are in about 3' to 5' of water, bluegill 1' to 2' of water, both can be deeper.

Tom

This is spawning shellcrackers in very muddy water:

 

There are several bass beds in this screen shot:

 

Great pics Wayne

Wayne

Taken today - bluegill beds

That`s really cool!

Took this this morning at the pond down the street. It was a little breezy so it's not real clear.