Awed by herring

Last week our family witnessed the wonder of the herring run. We stood in awe of this poetry-in-action and marveled at the miraculous dance of this Interdependent Web of Life.

The eagles soared over head…

The sea birds craftily herded herring in shore by “smack” landing in series on the water to form a semi circle “corral” and then gobbled up their catch…

A family of 6 sea lions rolled and feasted only a few metres off shore…

Female herring deposited roe on the shore side seaweed while male herring fertilizing the roe with “milt” creating a milky cover making it hard for birds to see the herring’s activities…

The next day, fertilized herring roe lie in the sun waiting for the tide water’s return.

May we always be blessed with the miracle of the herring run.

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Photo credits: Photos by Jessica at Oceanwood.

Oceanwood Chronicles, copyright 2009 - Jessica at Oceanwood. Creative commons attribution, non-commercial sharing only (translation: feel free to quote me in context or use this entry but please always credit me for my work, thanks.) http://oceanwood.blogspot.com/