The previous Autumn, I had been told by someone I met on the trail that the Haslam Creek is part of the annual fall salmon run here on the island. I had found that hard to believe, standing in the inch of water that made up a large part of the creek that I visit on a daily basis. How could any salmon navigate these shallow waters to the spawning grounds that they were born in?
Cue the recent atmospheric river event that dumped tons of water on the island, and the flood of fresh water flowing in the mouths of these waterways also cueing the salmon waiting in the ocean bays to start heading “home”, to spawn and die.
Now our shallow little creek is running fast with feet of water – not inches, and previously dry ancillary streams are flowing again.
Bowser took off like a shot to investigate one of these little streams and I quickly found out why. I was astonished to see a dorsal fin and tail wiggling down this tiny flow (and so was Bowser!).
We followed the fish further up the stream so I could get a closer look:
Despite Bowser proving very adept at chasing and chewing and shaking the living daylights out of his toys, he doesn’t quite know what to do with a living creature. According to my experience with previous dogs, a dog needs to witness a kill in order to know “the next step”. Usually this is learned from their mother or other dogs. They have the instinct to chase but need to witness a kill in order to finish the job. At least that is how it’s worked with the other schnauzers I have had in my life. My Maxx did not know what to do with a groundhog until he saw my parents’ dog grab one and shake it to death. Then something clicked for him and no groundhogs were safe on our property after that! My Lucy never saw a kill and thus she never killed anything. Chased everything but never killed. Even when a squirrel (her nemesis!) fell out of a tree and landed right in front of her nose and just laid there, stunned.
Or maybe Bowser is just too well-fed 😉. Anyways, I’m happy to keep him ignorant of that final step in chasing down prey.
Rock on,
The WB
Bowser’s too much of a gentleman
Let’s go with that! 😉 Thanks, Sheree 💕
Pleasure
Great videos. I’m always amazed at the strength of salmon…
Glad Bowser let them continue on their way.
❤️
Me too! I mean, they’re dying already so let them continue their journey while they can. Thanks, Rivergirl 💕
Well THAT was a neat experience for both of you, and now us too!
It’s been kinda incredible seeing this and I’m happy to share. Thanks, Dawn 💕
That is a lot of work for the salmon. It’s best if Bowser doesn’t kill stuff. Much safer all around.
Agreed! Thanks, Kate 💕
How exciting to get such a close up view of a salmon run. Glad Bowser was entertained but didn’t kill one before it got its mission completed.
Me too! Thanks, Jean 💕
But Bowser does do an incredible (and very thorough job) shaking the heck out of his toys. I LOVE witnessing that in action!
He sure does! You’d think he was a real killer 😆. Thanks, Donna 💕
What a brilliant experience! Glad to hear that Bowz has no mentor to follow in the killing, so that you’ll continue to be able to share lovely scenes like this with us all.
I’m glad too! There are enough things killing the salmon out there. Thanks, Debs 💕
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