Yesterday we went to a place called, Strawberry Reservoir to see the Salmon spawn. 
The fish swim upstream as they fight to get to where they want to spawn. Did you know when Salmon get ready to spawn they turn a red/orange? It is the craziest thing!
I have no idea why Mr. J is on the other side of the fence standing on the information sign. He's the littlest. He gets away with stuff. You can bet if I were on the other side of the fence standing on the information sign I'd get in trouble in two seconds! Young + Little+ Cute = You Can Get Away With Anything
A little school of Salmon making their way upstream.
More fighting and thrashing to get up over some rocks and shallows.
Really quite ugly. Their faces don't change. Just their bodies. We were told that at this point they are pretty much zombies. They've used all of their fats and energy to get upstream so they aren't even good for eating. They spawn and then die. They taste like mush we were told.
These fish are going to anatomy school. These are males. They are studying female anatomy.
Hi. My name is Bruce. Fish are friends..............
Yanked out of the water by one's tail. I'd be screaming too.
Dental school anyone? He needs a floss and brushing before he goes to meet the ladies.
A day spent on the banks of a stream. Contemplating. Watching fish fight their way up stream to........ well........ procreate...... and then die.
Makes a body want to jump up, stick their tongue out, and run off. "Don't do it!!!! Swim the other way!!!" But they are doomed. Once they've turned to the dark side........ once they've turned red.......
We know what happens...................
Anyway. Meanwhile, back at the ranch.........
A very nice afternoon was spent sitting on the edge of the stream.
Easy to be at peace when you haven't turned to the dark side.
Especially when you're a cool older brother who helps little ones walk on the rocks without falling in. A good steady arm to hold onto.
You can thank me later.
Excellent "school" photos...
ReplyDelete(Not to mention terribly educational. :-) )
Kind of makes you grateful you aren't a salmon, doesn't it... ahhh... the Circle of Life... LOL
Looks like it was a beautiful day. So glad none of your "school" children have turned to the dark side... Hopefully all is going well with their school year so far.
Very glad I'm not a salmon! Or a preying mantis..... or..... several other creatures that have interesting mating habits.
DeleteIt was a gorgeous day. I wish I could have more of those. Spiritually edified in the morning and then a day out in nature with the family.... heaven!
The school year is going great thus far. Crossing fingers it continues!
Rachel, I can always count on you to make me smile. Your family is beautiful (yes, I know they're mostly boys, but they're still beautiful people), and I wish you a happy school year.
ReplyDeleteI have been successful then if I've made you smile Anaise. That makes me smile. That I've made you smile. Gosh we're just a smiley bunch aren't we!? :D
DeleteI wish you a happy school year as well with all of your little (I guess some of them aren't so little anymore are they???) darling girls and wee little boy.
Absolutely love Darth Maul inserted in there! Ha ha ha! I love the "Dark side".
ReplyDeleteHee! It's the nerd in me.......
DeleteThe dark side. Giggling. And your big sib helping the little sib by the rocks and water - we had that same scenario going on this past weekend, but it was big sis and littlest sis. And it was so darn cute that I too had to take photos. Such beautiful connections.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the salmon lesson. I learned many things that I had NO IDEA about. My salmon knowledge was sadly lacking. Though I gotta say, it was kinda nice thinking that they worked so hard to get upstream to just procreate. You know, minus the dying part. I didn't know about that. My ignorance had a much kinder outcome for the adults. I had them all married off and raising families together. Tasty families, not mushy ones.
You know, I often wonder (as I'm sure you do because I see it in your children too) how I got so lucky/blessed to have such good Native's. They have their moments...... what siblings don't but when you capture moments like these, I honestly can't think of anything better. It makes me sad to think that people have to take narcotics or substances to have the joy that I have naturally just by being around those I love. The genuine caring for each other that takes place every day. Little things here and there. I can't think of anything more rewarding.
DeleteThe dark side....... you gotta admit those fish look Darth Maulish!!!
I learned a lot of new stuff. I 'knew' some things but there was a ton I didn't know and yes, it is kinda nice thinking about them working so hard to procreate. Wow! All Salmon are orphans! How depressing! No wonder they all look like Darth Maul!
So, my question for the current salmon expert is this - If they die after they spawn, how are there 4 year olds? They just don't go up the river every year?
ReplyDeleteAnd this SO does not count as 'back to school' photos! Nice try, though.
I had the same question!!! How can there be such a variance in age if they die!? I was told that it is when the 'change' happens. When the cold water hits them, they change color and start the process of swimming upstream to where they were 'born' and go and spawn. The 'change' doesn't hit them all at the same time. Odd...... So very odd....... Like us I guess. We all don't reach puberty at the same time........ Some earlier, some later than others.
DeleteYou guys do stuff. We never do stuff. And I had NO idea that we lived in Alaska. How could I have missed that? I was certain we were in the lower 48. So does this mean there will be polar bears sticking their heads through the doggy doors this winter? Because if that's the case, I'm getting stronger doors. Seriously. How sad that red fish are mushy. Red hearts are sometimes mushy - but I'm not an expert on any of this. Now, ask me about Beta fish and I can direct you to Chaz. Just please make sure that Mr. J does not "get away with anything" if you go, say, down to Mesa Verde or Dead Horse Point - I'm not at all sure their guide signs wouldn't give way and dump him several thousand rather inhospitable feet. Gives "getting away" a whole new angle.
ReplyDeleteI told you what we were going to do! You should have come with us! You and G would have loved the afternoon. There was a lovely breeze (which sadly you can hear on the video which distorts the rest of it....) and it was peaceful and temp's were loverly. Just loverly.
DeleteIt is sad. The mushy red part and their zombie state. I dunno. I feel mushy and like a zombie often enough.........
Mr. J has already made my heart come flying up out of my throat on several occasions. Being with him is not for the faint of heart.
Fantastic write-up! If I was your science teacher I would give you an A+. And you are now a salmon expert! You totally answered Donna's question! So glad you and your family stopped by for the day.
ReplyDeleteAnd yikes, is it the camera that adds ten pounds to the backside or the terribly unflattering waders??? :)
Yay!!! You found us! I figured there was no way you'd remember my odd blog name. :D I'm glad I answered Donna's question correctly. Must have had a good teacher!!! ;)
ReplyDeleteLOL! You do not look ten pounds heavier. You look great. There are many of us who wished we look as good as you. Waders and all.
So glad you stopped by!!!
what a great day spent together. Thanks for the science lesson - it's good to learn something new every day!
ReplyDeleteI love learning new things. I didn't know we even had Salmon here in Utah! I thought they were up in Alaska. Only in Alaska. Who'd have thought Salmon in Utah?
Deleteso my in-laws went to see the salmon spawning in alaska & there were so many they picked them up by the tail. then one of them spawned on one of them!
ReplyDeleteYou saw in the video! The gal just squeezed and out came the stuff. Pretty crazy!
DeleteOkay. I've now learned something new. I didn't have a clue that we have salmon in Utah. Hmmm. How did I miss that bit of info?
ReplyDeleteThe photos were marvelous. I've never seen a salmon in spawning season and they are a sight to behold. The teeth = creepy!
I love learning new things. I had no idea either.
DeleteSalmon that turn red plus big teeth, yes..... creepy!