Stormy Weather, Flooding Rivers and Cheerful Hummingbirds

It was just last month when the Pacific Northwest was hit with torrential rain that lasted several days, flooding our local rivers.

In Renton, the Cedar River rose over 18 feet, higher than the previous record, closing the Community Center.

This was the view from the same area last fall, when I went down to watch the salmon spawning.

The flooding will likely have a negative impact on the salmon’s already dwindling numbers.

The river ran high through town,

though no harm was done to the library.

This was the view at normal levels in October.

I was considering how much worse the damage would have been if the river had not been rerouted into Lake Washington over a hundred years ago.

“In 1911, there was a major flood along the lower Cedar River. This prompted the city of Renton to make a diversion canal so that the Cedar River emptied into Lake Washington instead of the Black River. The diversion was completed in 1912.” Wikipedia

The river is still running high, but January has been milder overall. The Anna’s Hummingbirds are still feeding, bringing life and color even to the dreariest days;

and are wondering,

Is it Spring yet?

Sharing with Sunday Stills, #Storm.

~ Susanne