swim, spawn and die

swim, spawn and die, originally uploaded by carolyn_in_oregon.

The salmon are spawning in Multnomah Creek. They've swum from the Pacific Ocean, against the current in the mighty Columbia River to come back here, lay their eggs and die. There were already a few dead white fish, spent from their efforts and done with their life cycle.

I came here not to look at the largest waterfall in the state (behind me) but to see the annual spawn. Both chinook (king) salmon and coho salmon spawn in these waters. It's pretty amazing to see.