.jpg "Sunset over Mt Hood & Columbia R Underwood WA")
Spring Creek Fish Hatchery along Columbia River & Mt. Hood
After working for the Forest Service at Mt St Helens for five seasons my gypsy life changed and I took a temporary position with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service along the Columbia River Gorge, Washington. I was hired to research and write for publication the history of fish hatcheries along the Columbia River. Bottom line, population of salmon declined as population of people increased. And thus fish hatcheries, since 1876 on the Columbia River.
.jpg "Salmon in fish ladder Spring Creek NFH Underwood WA")
Salmon in fish ladder
The salmon life cycle is amazing. Young salmon swim from their birth waters to the sea where they become adults. After 3-4 years they return along the same route fasting all the way, to reproduce and then die. Their carcasses provide a fish buffet for wandering wildlife.
.jpg "Salmon spawning in Little White Salmon Creek Underwood WA")
Salmon spawning
Major flooding tore boards from the dam at Little White Salmon National Fish Hatchery and many salmon continued upstream another half mile where a waterfall caused a natural obstruction. Their mating rituals are a water-dance like none other.
.jpg "Little White Salmon River Underwood WA")
Little White Salmon River
Maybe someday we can allow salmon to spawn naturally in free flowing clean waters and get rid of fish hatcheries. Of course we’d also have to get rid of damns, or at least build more fish ladders.
While working here I received a cash award that allowed me to buy a cabover camper and resume the gypsy life.
Outstanding shots, especially the last one. Thanks for sharing!
Cheers!
Regina In Pictures
Really beautiful shots! My part of the world and I love it! Thanks!
I have seen this in person, and it’s prettier than any National Geographic photos out there. Simply magnificent scenery.
What a wonderful part of the natural world.
I love the last shot! So refreshing:)
Posted mine, HERE. Have a great day! And nice to view your world today!
I have visited a salmon area in Scotland and this brought back those memories
Must we humans spoil all the rituals of the rest og the world just to make another abuck for some millionare who has more than he can spend anyway? If we wasted less water and were more self sufficient in catching rainwater we would need far fewer dams.
We have catered for our household and farm for over 40 years without either access to flowing water or reticulation, and all that n a low rainfall zone.
Beautiful! It must have been really interesting working for the Fish and Wildlife service!
Wonderful photos from your corner of the world:)
See you next week:)
Very interesting, and beautiful photos of a magnificent place.
I for some reason only recently learned that the salmon died after mating. It’s almost like butterflies migrating. So interesting.
beautiful shots and wonderful lifestyle… Hope the gums are healing right up!
happy Veterans Day!
Interesting story about the fishes. Nice part of the world where you are.
Ooooh, I envy your lifestyle. and your gumption! I will be back to see more of your world!
This is very interesting. Blogging leads us where we wouldn’t necessarily go. Learn things alot of the time.