Carrying on with our "Cider Sunday" series, part 3 moves away from the homesteaders and cider squeezers and on to the spawning salmon, and there were LOTS of them. Not only did they have two large tanks filled with salmon, but there were plenty working their way up the ladder toward the falls. Representatives from The Department of Fisheries were on hand educating the kids (and some of us adults) on fishy reproduction. We walked down just below the falls to see what was going on there. When we first saw the salmon pictured here he was thrashing around in the water wearing himself out. He slowed down and moved over to the calmer water to rest for about ten minutes or so. When he felt like he was ready up he came. These shots were taken about fifteen feet from the falls themselves. In order to clear them he would have to jump about eight to ten feet. We ended up leaving shortly after taking these photos so I'm not sure if he made it or not. More tomorrow.........

This Sunday is going to be a busy day at Tumwater Falls Park just south of Olympia. Not only do the salmon return at this time every year, but it's time to bring the family to "Cider Sunday", an annual apple press. The Washington State Department of Fisheries will be there educating the public on pretty much anything salmon related, while at the same time people can bring their own apples to have them squeezed into cider. My wife has informed me that we'll be going there, so you can bet I'll take the trusty Nikon along. Two years ago I had decided to go to the park to photograph the salmon spawning. I asked a beautiful young lady if she wanted to go with me. Now that lady is my wife.