Zoolights

From the awesome reality of salmon spawning to a half million lights at the zoo...talk about extremes! The former is more to our liking, but the boys and I have made a tradition of this post-Thanksgiving excursion. Under cool, clear skies and a nearly full moon it's a pleasant enough way to usher in "the holiday season". This replica of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge with Mount Rainier in the background did strike my fancy.

Salmon Spawning

The day after Thanksgiving is a good time to check out salmon runs. The boys and I had a chance to do just that with my parents, and this creek was a mine field. The timing and quantity of salmon spawning varies from year to year; we were fortunate to be in the right place at the right time.

Isn't it amazing to think these chum salmon spent years migrating thousands of miles in the Pacific before instinctively returning to this freshwater creek where they were born? What an incredibly fascinating life cycle.
Equally fascinating is the actual spawning process. The female prepares the gravel bed where she'll lay her eggs, while the male swims about anxiously waiting to fertilize them.

And that, of course, is their last act before succumbing to death. Throughout the short spawning season, dead salmon accumulate along the creek while the eggs await hatching and the process begins anew.

Over the River

Happy Thanksgiving! After a cinnamon roll brunch here at home, the boys and I drove down to my parents' place. Hans is tied to the farm and couldn't join us. Word of warning for those interested in moving to this corner of the world: This weather is not normal late-November fare!