We stopped by the Flaming Geyser State Park on the way home, to check out the Geyser, of course. We also checked out the salmon run, because the park is home to several spawning beds.

Hear it roar
Once sporting a flame that reached more than 10 feet, the geyser has dwindled down to a big bic lighter

The Geyser
Comercial harvesting of the natural gas outside the park has reduced the amount of gas that flows through the tap to a small fraction of what it used to be.

Spawning
I remembered that there were spawning beds, and we went to check them out as we were heading back from checking the geyser. Recent flooding changed the river quite a bit, but the salmon were making the best of it anyway.

Digging in the gravel
We watched a few salmon digging a small nest in the gravel, so they could lay their eggs.

Mission Accomplished
Along the banks of the slough, there were salmon that had already completed their task

Spawing
There were quite a few salmon still vyying for a good spot, and defending the one they'd already used... it was interesting to watch them

Waiting to die
Most of the salmon were simply milling about, waiting for the end to come, it seemed.

The colors of home
Walking back to the truck, I noticed this tree covered in moss. Its pretty typical here in the PNW's wet climate.

 

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