Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
Musings on cats, travel, gardens and life
Just Keep Swimming – like the Salmon!
I wanted to share something for this week’s Sunday Stills Challenge, #Swim, but I’m really not much of a swimmer. (Don’t get me wrong, I loved swimming in lakes when I was a kid, and I still love splashing around in warm ocean waves when on vacation.)
But then I remembered the salmon who faithfully return to their spawning grounds in the Cedar River every fall. It’s a sight to behold! I have plenty of photos from visiting them every October and since they are beautiful in red, I have squared them for #SimplyRed.
The Cedar River flows through the city of Renton, even under the library, where people gather to watch the salmon return.
“In September, adult Sockeye head up the Cedar River as it swells with new rainfall. As they migrate upstream their bodies transform to display their dramatic spawning colors.”
“Soon after spawning, the adults die. The nutrients from their decomposing bodies are added to the base of the food chain that supports the salmon ecosystem.”
They must have lived a good life, having survived their journey to the ocean and back, and ready to give themselves up for future generations.
~ Susanne
Cats and Trails and Garden Tales 
very encouraging
thank you
Such colorful and wonderful pictures.
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed them.
Beautiful photos!!
Thank you! 🙂
Wow, that must be something to see!
Yes, I love it! They return every year, right in the middle of town! 🙂
oh I have only seen red salmon a couple of times in the US, this is such a great series of shots and perfect for squares.
Thanks so much, Becky. I love seeing these beauties come up the Cedar River every fall!
Beautiful captures of spawning salmon in their bright red glory, Susanne! Awesome job on the double dip for the two challenges! Love it!
Thanks so much, Terri! I was happy to be able to put ‘swim’ and ‘red’ together and share these beautiful creatures!
It’s not all that easy to do!
Challenges are challenging! 😃
I had no idea they turned those beautiful colors. Thanks!
janet
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
I did.
Great photos.
Thank you!
This a wonderful facts about Salmon. To give up themselves for the next generation to survive. They look lovely!
Thanks, Hazel. Glad you enjoyed learning about our local salmon!
You’re most welcome, Susanne. Happy weekend!
Nice photos Susanne. That’s a sight to see. Those fish are truly amazing in the journey they make.
Thanks, Graham. I love seeing them return each fall.
An unusual choice for the challenge, and it works well.
Best wishes, Pete.
Thanks, Pete. I like how the various challenges spawn new ideas! 😀
Wow, they’re so colourful! And I love the idea that the river flows under the library 😀
Thanks, Sarah! The library may be unique in the whole country!
Nature is so giving, without question. I love the colours of the salmon.
Thank you. ☺️
I never saw those in real life. I used to watch Chinook in the Columbia.
I was born and raised in Seattle and always knew we were in salmon country. But it was only after I moved to Renton, the next town south, that I got to see their annual migration up close. And I never get tired of it.