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It’s the season when Coho Salmon swim back up
the rivers and creeks here.
Completing its long journey,
this fish returned to its birthplace
on a muddy edge of the Skykomish River,
where it died.
But before it traced the final graceful ripples in cold water,
it mated.
Eggs were laid;
the infinite,
hidden
within the finite.
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This weeks Weekly Photo Challenge is “Infinite. “
Wonderful image of the salmon. I like the thought too.
Thank you George – not to everyone’s taste I’m sure, but I’m glad you like it.
What a fabulous name for a river! It’s a melancholy photo of the fish, but beautiful, too.
Very melancholy, yes. There were so many dead salmon in the river the other day. When the Skykomish River meets the Snoqualmie River, they join and become the Snohomish River! How do you like that!?! (And nearby is the Sammamish River).
Oh I just love how your mind works. Lovely. Simply lovely. I have always been fascinated with the life of salmon and their full circle journey. Fascinating and to see it, even more so. You witnessed what they had come to do. (Hopefully though not the fish sex part! :-))
Last year we watched a good sized salmon work its way up the tiniest creek – it was very, very shallow and strewn with branches & debris. It was a heavily wooded area so we could only follow the fish a little way, but what we saw was impressive. I was sure it couldn’t make it through but I know they do it. It would be fun to see the eggs being laid – maybe someday.
Wow, that is really neat! Great shots!
Thank you Jennifer –
I’m always amazed how their bodies morph over their life cycle into such prehistoric-looking beings. Nice photograph and thoughts, too.
It’s really strange, isn’t it? When they’re ready to die, they look fierce! Thanks for stopping by –
Beautiful, Lynn. I like your words. Yes, a continuous circle.
Thank you Karen – always a pleasure to hear from you.
Lynn, I must admit that i have never looked at the final part of the salmon journey. Thank you for sharing the reality of it, both beauty and sadness.
How organic is that first shot! So easy to forget sometimes how the layers of time build up around us and how wonderful for you to see so much in this amazing part of the world!
I like your thoughts Patti – thanks!
Many years ago, when I was quite young, I followed the salmon while on a trip to foreign shores. It was a time before breeding farms and technological fishing… and the experience was one of learning to appreciate nature. I still remember the awe I felt watching the determination of those beautiful fish.
So I’m glad you saw this and it brought back that memory. Last year we watched a decent sized salmon fighting its way up the smallest, shallowest creek – all alone – it was inspiring. You’ll be happy to know that there is great energy here to tear down dams and keep rivers clean for the salmon.
Thank you for stopping by at my site. Yours is really neat and interesting.