This week, I'll be introducing Lili Allala (pronounced Ayala) as our new Restoration Coordinator. Lili will be joining Hillary (who moves to the position of Restoration Speciliast) in our restoration program. As part of Lili's orientation, we visited several of our project sites, including Brooklake.
Immediately upon arriving at the creek, we saw a 14-16 inch male coho at one of the lower pools. We watched as he climbed the rock ladder, each one of successive difficulty. Finally, at the last jump, a thick log raised almost entirely above the streamline, he made a first attempt but was battered back down into the pool by the force of the water and the height of the jump.
We waited while he rested, building his strength for the second jump. In my mind, i thought it might take him more than a couple tries to clear the log, but that second jump was pure athletic brilliance and poetry! He exploded from the pool in the same location, but with more velocity. It still wasn't enough to clear the log, but as his body connected with the log, he pushed off with his entire body, flipping his head and tail in a way to propel him in a diagonal but forward path, over the log and into the pool. It all happened in a flash and was absolutely spectactular to see.
I couldn't help but think of some of the great human athletes: Michael Jordan, Thierry Henry, Usain Bolt. This little coho was right up there in terms of pure physical brilliance. Wow!
