Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
Musings on cats, travel, gardens and life
The Salmon are Running and it’s Beautiful to Behold!
One of my favorite things about living in Renton is seeing the salmon return to the Cedar River each fall.
After spending several years in the Pacific Ocean they return to the rivers and streams of their birth to spawn. Coho, Chinook and Sockeye all return to the Cedar River in the Renton and Maple Valley areas, but the Sockeye are easiest to see because of their bright red orange bodies and green heads.
I started at the downtown Renton Library (yes, a river runs through it) where trained naturalists provide information, answer questions and help you spot the salmon in the river.
I saw a few salmon from the bridge there, but I found the best viewing with the most salmon further upstream at Riverview Park.
I even got to see them wiggle and splash as the females laid eggs and the males fought over them nearby. Clear spots in the river mean eggs have been laid there, as algae was disturbed.
It’s always a thrill watching nature’s show as the salmon return each fall.
And that brilliant color? It’s hard to describe but I think blood orange works nicely, so I’m sharing for Sunday Stills.
~ Susanne
Cats and Trails and Garden Tales 
That must be fascinating to watch, Susanne. You captured it very well.
Best wishes, Pete.
Thanks, Pete. It really is special. I never get tired of watching the salmon. 😊
Glad to see the salmon run, Susanne! It’s been a few years since we saw the salmon running in Lake Tahoe, but it’s always quite amazing to see nature at her best. You did indeed capture the gorgeous colors of the salmon. Such an interesting subject and how the salmon “know” to come back and spawn. The kokanee run in this area in Idaho.
Thanks, Terri. It was wonderful to discover this annual event when I moved to Renton a few years ago. The river runs right through town so it’s easy to go down and enjoy the show. I never cease to be amazed and impressed by the beauty and journey of the salmon. What a marvelous design!
I meant to comment about how cool it must be to have the river run right through town!
Terrific to see! For those who don’t live in the northwest, the natural spawning grounds for salmon are under attack from many different directions, and when you add climate change, their survival is anything but assured!
Yes, it’s wonderful to see these beautiful salmon return each year. But the numbers are down for many reasons. It’s certainly not as reported years ago when they were so thick in the rivers you could have walked across on them!
It’s so important to keep the awareness high because there are things that can be done to help them – sharing stories like this are one!
Thanks John. They are definitely worth protecting!
Great salmon photos 🙂 🙂
Thank you! 😊
Gorgeous pictures once again, Susanne! I have never seen salmon in the wild. They are absolutely stunning!
Thank you so much! I try to go down to see them in the Cedar River every year and it never gets old!
We’d heard speculation that the water would be too warm for them this year; I’m glad that’s not the case.
I was so happy to see them in the river!
Issaquah Creek also was in decades past a good spawning creek. My (now late) husband and I frequently went to a wonderful restaurant in Issaquah built right over the creek (restaurant may not be there anymore and pretty sure current environmental laws would not have permitted building such these days!). We spent many an early dinner watching the colorful swimmers.
Sweet memories. I like Issaquah.. It also has a salmon festival.
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Wow! That wonderful
Thanks so much. Glad you enjoyed it!
I love watching the salmon run! Nature is extraordinary. Thanks for capturing it for us! Gorgeous time of year! 💕C
Yes, I agree! Nature is truly awesome! I love watching the salmon return to the Cedar R. each year to spawn. I’m so glad you enjoyed it!