Last week we made our annual trip to Knight's Ferry to see watch the salmon run. This year we could only spot four salmon from the bridge. In the past we've seen hundreds at this time...it was very disappointing. Knight's Ferry is approximately 20 minutes from our house.
A Little History......
From September through November, multitudes of salmon within the Pacific Ocean begin an incredible journey that takes them hundreds and even thousands of miles up the rivers in which they were born. This process is know as a salmon run, and can be seen in almost all the rivers across the West Coast, including the Merced, Tuolumne and Stanislaus. Usually late November is the prime time to witness this phenomenal event, but due to various conditions and circumstances, the numbers of this year’s ‘run’ are extremely low.
“Unfortunately this year is a really bad year for salmon, pretty much up and down the West Coast,” said Jason Faridi, the senior park ranger/senior natural resource specialist down at Knights Ferry, a very popular view point for salmon spawning along the Stanislaus River. “This is a bad year, but if you came last year you’d see thousands of fish. It is pretty neat to watch, and people come out here every year about this time”
East towards the Sierra's
West towards the Pacific Ocean
You can see the covered bridge up river.
If you look really close....you can see one.
Although there are many factors to this decline, experts speculate that poor ocean conditions are the primary cause. Reports say that it may also have something to do with the weather.
“Everyone knows that it’s unseasonably warm, and that’s probably one of the factors that’s not letting the salmon come up,” he said. “They might be waiting to be triggered by cold weather before they spawn.”
These salmon, known as Chinook, or King Salmon, typically leave the ocean near San Francisco Bay around July and reach the Delta by August. By September they have started their migration up the Merced, Tuolumne and Stanislaus.....Sierra Mountain Times
Wild Pyracantha Berrie Bushes
We were going to have lunch here...but they were closed.
Visit Susan at "A Southern Day Dreamer"...She has some gorgeous Turkeys to share this week. Also, make sure to visit other participants for this week's fun outdoor pictures.
Also Watery Wednesday #62...
Have a GREAT Wednesday!
I'm off to Macy's for their Early Bird Sale!
Mumzie
6 comments:
very pretty area
Your photos are still spectacular. It is a gorgeous are. Have a great Outdoor Wednesday.
Beautiful area! Do you know why you saw so few salmon this year? I hope they are not gone for good.... that would be so sad.
Come and visit, I'd love to see you - http://quilt--works.blogspot.com/
Beautiful scenery. It's a bit disconcerting about the salmon, but perhaps it is because it's too warm. Hopefully they'll return next year! Kathy
Great post and photos, very pretty scenery.
The scenery in the pics are just lovely!
Micki
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