The Great River of the West The Columbia – A scenic wonderland Monterey Bay The West The Columbia River and Monterey Bay NCSR Photos by Lester Reed1

The Great River of the West The Columbia

–

A scenic wonderlandMonterey Bay

The West The Columbia River and

Monterey Bay

NCSR Photos by Lester Reed 1

Our trip up the Columbia

Adapted from USGS

Columbia River

Snake River

PortlandHells Canyon

Tour Route

Our departure for the Columbia is from Portland, Oregon - a

city of bridges


A ride on the new tram seemed a must

The view was worth the fare

In Portland we did some sightseeing


The gardens are about tranquility

The sound of water falling establishes the mood

The Japanese Gardens were on the schedule


We are soon off on the Sea Lion

Heading north upriver

Our main purpose was to sail the river


The Columbia is a changed river with the building of the

hydroelectric dams


Dams of the Columb

ia River Basin

Map courtesy of State of Washington – Department of Ecology

1.8

All Columbia dams we visit here are of uniform width to accommodate two

barges side by sideThere are various lock designs – this

one is called a Guillotine design

Over the next week we will transit

eight dams on the Columbia


The generation of hydroelectric power for the region

and to allow economical barge transportation on the waterway

The dams have two main economic purposes


Dams block free access to spawning grounds, reducing numbers of fish for commercial fishing,

Native American dip netting (platform on left) and sport fishing (on right)

Dams are controversial due to their adverse impact on the native

salmon population


In spite of the dams, the river remains the most scenic in North America

Even on a cloudy day, as water flows between gorge walls,

the view is stunning

Politics aside - our purpose is to

explore the Columbia River


Forest stands surround rocky cliffs

Thousands of years of river flow shapes the land

Federal protection has controlled development along

the Columbia Gorge


Falls typically are tall and narrow and are fed by underground sources

The Gorge is noted for its stunning waterfalls


An early settlers sod house There are wind swept vistas

As we head north we take the opportunity to view the river and

its banks from onshore


Built by hand beginning in 1913 and completed in 1922 , the road was the first paved road in the Northwest

The Gorge tunnel and road are now closed to motorized vehicles

except on special historical events

The original Gorge Highway


Chicken Charlie's Island named for an early 1900s chicken ranch

The farther upriver the more desolate the landscape

We continue north headed for the

Snake River and Hells Canyon


Road and electric power terminus

Soon the landscape is basalt cliffs devoid of trees

As we reach the Snake near Hells Canyon, road access along the banks

ends and traffic is by boat


The fast-moving jet boat allows us to navigate rapids and get close to shore to observe

the rock formations that make up the canyon

At Hells Canyon we change to a jet boat to see first hand this natural

wonder


The light and dark shading reflect various flood levels

Look closely and you can see five distinct water levels that

discolored these rocks

Much of the history of the Canyon can be read in the rock

formations


The jet boat’s wake adds to the

stark beauty of the canyon


Early Native American petroglyphs are found along

the walls of the canyon


Geologists can read the history of the Canyon in its rock walls


Big horn sheep Mule deer

Occasionally we get a glimpse of the Canyon’s wildlife


We depart Hells Canyon seeing why it is known for its stark

beauty


Our next stop, the lower reaches of the Palouse River


Using Zodiacs and kayaks we take a close look at this tranquil Snake River tributary

Getting “on the water” gave us a special appreciation for this

historic area


Basalt rock walls and stark canyons give witness to the force of the waters

The effects of the Lake Missoula ice age floods 20,000 years ago

are clearly evident


Climbing up above the

Palouse Falls gives more dramatic

evidence of the floods


Below the falls the flow continues as the Palouse connects with the Snake

The various rock types are shown in the exposed cliff faces

The floods clearly changed the landscape into one of barren

beauty


Even the scoured land vegetation struggles for a

foothold


Reluctantly, we head back down stream


Back to Portland


and south to the Monterey Bay area


Map courtesy of USGS – N. Maher and R. Hall

35

The Monterey Bay area has many faces -

all unique and often stunning


Noted for its marine mammal population and rugged beauty it is

a prime tourist destination


Such as sea lions and the ever popular sea otters

In the next few minutes we will

visit some of these attractions


Among the sights are harbor seals

and the sea lions are the noisy ones(being visited by

cormorants)

These guys are prolific and some are noisy


Can you find the sea otters?

Here I am sleeping in the kelp

A fun creature – the California sea otter


Sea otters spend nearly all of their time in the water (there

are six in this picture)


This otter has a happy life – eating, sleeping, and grooming


Up close and personal


A cousin of the sea otter – the American river otter


A day of whales tails – Monterey Bay, June 2008


Humpback whales feeding on anchovies


Almost too close for comfort – heading for the boat and diving

at the last minute


You see lots of backs and flukes

when whale watching


Actually it is their water spout that has a distinct “dead fish” odor and an audible roar as it is released

Ever smell whales breath or hear it breathing?


Rough-toothed dolphins feeding with the humpback

whales (lower right)


... even if there are whales see upper right

Sea lions join in on the feast…


Monterey Bay 17-Mile Drive – Bird Island (guess its real color)


Restless waters and rocks make beautiful pictures


There is surf splashing and tide pools

Wherever you look


Wind shaped Cypress trees form

stark images against a blue sky


Meet some of the seals and sea lions


Flippers and heads – courtesy of a sea lion swim-in


See my spots This guy is all wired-up

Young seals play in the surf


The kids have lots of color variation depending on age


Grooming and sleeping are favorite pastimes


…like their own rocks although some venture out to Bird Island with

the cormorants

Sea lions…


Meet the elephant seals

NCSR Photos by Lester Reed62

Hey humans – I’d like a little peace and quiet


When dry, the elephant seals are quite brown but are black when wet

Out to the water and back


Pelicans on the wing


Hey buddy – have you got a nut for me?

PS: He is used to begging


Not everyone likes

the water – California ground

squirrel

Crowed together – how do you get yours out ?

Not all are fancy yachts

Water attracts boats


Black sea nettle

Pacific sea nettle

Our last stop – The Monterey Bay Aquarium’s jelly collection


Spotted jelly or lagoon jelly Mediterranean jelly

Although currents move them, they have a choice as to where

they go


Purple-striped jelly

Which is right side up? The jellies know but don't seem to care.


Upside-down jellyMediterranean jelly

or fried egg jelly

The shapes and colors seem endless


Out of focus sometimes makes for an interesting composition


Had to sneak in a tropical fish or two


The colors are a photographers dream


Shapes and colors cover every conceivable variety


And we make our good-byes to Monterey Bay


and the Columbia River - we come to the end of our visit

to the west


Documents

The Great River of the West The Columbia – A scenic wonderland Monterey Bay The West The Columbia River and Monterey Bay NCSR Photos by Lester Reed1