and a flash of color.
Wherever there is light, one can photograph.
Alfred Stieglitz
Photographing the kokanee spawning has become somewhat of a fall ritual, and one that began a little earlier this year than last year. An early winter perhaps?
As beautiful as it is to see a creek run “red” with these spawning landlocked salmon, I still feel a little sad knowing that it is their last run. At this moment these beautiful, once silvery fish, turn a brilliant red with green heads and fight their way upstream. The males grow humps and extended lower jaws and jockey for position in the best “egg-laying” spots. A returning visit in a couple of weeks will find scattered pink eggs alongside dead and decaying fish.
The kokanee reaches maturity at 3-5 years and dies after spawning.
The glass of the lens between myself and the dying fish somehow makes it easier to watch.
The cycle of life…
it's (almost always) about the water... 
Death, yes, but done with purpose and grace.
Your picture is very colorful but yes it is sad, however the bears need the food to successfully hibernate and produce their young. Isn’t nature amazing!
“A beautiful sacrifice”. Your two fantastic images do them justice, Sheryl. And if I’d once known these facts, I’d forgotten them.