We had the most fun field trip to see the kokanee salmon spawning! As part of our unit we learned about ocean salmon and river salmon, and I had heard you could see some in Utah (they are not native to Utah, but were introduced here in the 1920s) but we'd had never had a reason to do so before! Now we did!
Some information about our kokanee salmon, and other salmon:
https://www.abc4.com/news/local-news/transformation-kokanee-salmon-explainer/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kc838iyQVig salmon migration
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlC6HKIcALY video of a salmon run from above
https://youtu.be/TSSPDwAQLXs?si=J4ktArnv_fgwID_A bears eating salmon
The salmon run is truly amazing, and I think the transformation that takes place in their bodies before they spawn is even more amazing! I can't believe the beautiful bright red color they become! And it's so interesting how they become completely packed with eggs inside at spawning time (like this, or there are videos of cutting the fish open and the eggs just pour out). Weird, but cool.
One of the places you can go to see the salmon run (it's in the fall, mid-September to early October) is up by Strawberry Reservoir. It was such a beautiful drive up that direction! On the most beautiful day!
I was afraid that when we got there, we wouldn't actually be able to see any salmon! But…
…there they were, just as promised!
And they really are that vibrant red color!
We enjoyed the little boardwalk path near the stream.
So pretty in the sparkling sunlight
Afterwards we drove into the hills a little ways and found the most beautiful orange aspen grove in which to have our picnic lunch!
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