Imagine what it must be like to be a salmon right now. During the salmon run, they’re not simply swimming upstream. It’s a fierce battle against blistering rapids and scorching canyons. They hurl themselves to the highest pool of the tallest waterfall. Jokes aside, they actually do that, and with incredible endurance. Some travel over 3,000 km inland to reach their spawning grounds. Others, like this one, navigate creeks so shallow they have to flop across inches of water, scraping scales on rocks just to keep going. Meanwhile, predators line up along the banks like it’s a buffet. Still, something in that small fish brain knows it’s time to go home — back to the exact river they were born in. Because if they survived there once, their offspring might too. After all that effort, most die within days of spawning. Fewer than 10% ever make it this far. But those that do ensure the next generation lives on. Video by paulnicklen #OceanSchool #SalmonRun #Salmon #ExploreBC #Explore