CJ and I joined by our friends Chris and Carol are having fun exploring the Lake Tahoe area. Our explorations started at the Camp Richardson area where we inquired about a lake cruise. The Tahoe Queen does two hour cruises for $47 per person and we decided to do one on a weekday since we would be here for a week. The small commercial marina also offered boats, kayaks, and peddle boats to rent. Next we checked out the Beacon Bar & Grill deciding we would come back later for lunch. Our morning destination was Taylor Creek where we were told the salmon were spawning.
Commercial Marina
The parking lot was full of cars and the trail head busy with people moving about getting ready to start down the trail. We got our camera gear out and joined them on the asphalt walkway. Our first stop was at a small viewing deck to get a picture of the open grassland leading to the lake. Then it was off down the trail again. The asphalt gave way to a wooden bridge followed by a wooden pathway. When the trail joined the creek there were people standing by the water just looking, taking pictures and commenting on all the fish. We joined them and started taking pictures. The creek was filled with salmon all pointing upstream. Someone said you could run across the water just by stepping on the fish.

Two Kokanee Salmon	School of salmon
Salmon in line	Salmon splashing

The salmon leave the creek for two to four years before returning to spawn as their last activity in life. The females lay 400 - 1200 eggs each and the males fertilize the eggs. But attrition takes a terrible toll and only 3 eggs in each 1000 survive. We watched as the mallard ducks would use their feet to stir up the water and then eat the floating eggs. Merganser ducks would occasionally target a fish and actually follow it, catch it and eat it. I'm not sure how they select which one of the hundreds to pursue.
Beating the Wings
Watching the people lining the creek was as much fun as watching the fish. Young children played with the small rocks, asked questions about the fish and ran around having fun. Teenagers were there trying not to look too interested in the fish. Some people brought their dogs. One 3 month old puppy was startled when the fish thrashed in the water and hid behind his owner for awhile. Some people talked to each other as though there was no one else around while other were quiet and reserved.
 

Taking A Break

Watching The Spawning

Aspen Color

After the salmon creek we continued on to Spring Creek residence area where we found some aspens with colored leaves. Hunger got the better of us and we went back to the Beacon Cafe & Bar, home of the Rum Runner drink. None of us decided to test out a Rum Runner but we had a good meal sitting on the deck overlooking the beach and Lake Tahoe. It was a beautiful setting and we really enjoyed ourselves and appreciated our day.