There is a trail from our street all the way to Lake Osoyoos which we have made very good use of over the past 8 monthes we have been here. This trail follows the Okanagan River. It was this river that Greg swong into from an old rope on a tree, that Chester used to refresh himself in the heat, that my mom walked right into with all her clothes and shoes on, that my sister Emily fell in with her skirt on.
Now this river is serving a different purpose. It is the spawning ground for thousands of red sockeye salmon. Sockeye salmon are known to take top billing at fine restaraunts but are very hard to catch. Right now the bottom of the river is covered with these fish laying 2000-5000 eggs each beneath the gravel. Then a male will come and fertilize the eggs. The eggs incubate all through winter and then swim down stream to lake Osoyoos for a year while they grow. Then they go further south and spend a few years in the Pacific Ocean. Then they make the journey back upstream to the Okangan River where they have babies and then die very soon after.
It is fun to go watch the salmon jumping right out of the water. Some of them are done laying there eggs, so their corpses lay around the shores.
These are some pictures of the trail and the river but it really must be seen in person to be appreciated. 
That's so cool! Are you allowed to fish there?
ReplyDeleteThe colors on the trail are so beautiful and vibrant now - wish I was there to take some pictures. Does Chester try to get some of the salmon?
ReplyDeletehe's not a grizzly, mum...
ReplyDeleteSo female salmon's express purpose is to lay eggs then die? What kills them - like, a heart attack? If they don't lay eggs will they still die or is something triggered? Maybe I should keep having kids. But then again, I'm not a salmon.
Chester has been startled by some swimming right by but he is no hunter. I haven't seen anyone fishing since the salmon arrived but I'm sure you could try. I would hate to catch one full of eggs though. And as for Sara's questions...google it, that info wasn't on the sign.
ReplyDeleteBut the eggs are delicacies, aren't they? They smear them all over the outside of maki. You looks so pretty. I love people's facial expressions is pictures their spouses take of them.
ReplyDelete