NPR: Cold Water, Happy Salmon and Hungry Deer

Cold Water, Happy Salmon and Hungry Deer

Lying in a mountain river on a 100 degree day turns out to an excellent reason to live. Who knew? The secret is long underwear, fleece and a well-fitted dry suit. The ability to think or swim are optional.

Meet my guide into the glories of mountain rivers, Mary Edwards, who is executing a difficult maneuver known as letting it all go. Mary had indeed put in an arduous day, photographing often elusive salmon in eastern Oregon's Lostine River.

photo credit: Ketzel Levine, NPR

I don't have much to say about the aquatic plants in the Lostine River. Didn't see anything that turned my head. Admittedly, the competition was stiff: sunlit pools, bright orange stones, bubbles of clear blue water. Oh, and the reason we went to the Lostine River: spawning salmon.

No, those are not big dogs, those are little does who are standard issue in the front yards of the botanically-challenged residents of Joseph, OR.

photo credit: Ketzel Levine

I have lots of great tape and a few darn good pix from my recent visit with fish biologist Mary Edwards, gathered for a Morning Edition story you'll get to hear in the next few weeks. But I've little to feed your appetite for tales of chlorophyllic glory, since it was just too hot to hike.

However, I did snap this wee pix outside Mary's house in Joseph, OR., where she does her best to grow flora despite the fauna.

Dare I even invite response on the subject of gardening with deer? You game?

8:25 PM ET | 08-19-2008 | permalink

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What fun, and I'll look forward to hearing the story. But, geez, isn't it awfully hot for your neck of the woods?

Sent by Lisa | 11:32 PM ET | 08-19-2008

It's all become so unpredictable, who knows if this is unseasonably hot anymore. Ultimately, I think it's fairly typical that we get these killer temperatures for a few freak days at a time...though having said that, the last time we had a doozy like this past wkend was end of May.

P.S. It's chilly and rainy today!

Sent by Ketzel Levine | 11:44 PM ET | 08-19-2008

Gardening and deer...there are folks who get PhD's in this subject...we just try to plant things they don't like to eat. Also to minimize their trips through the yard so they don't browse along the way. Some folks think that if you urinate on the paths the deer will be deflected but I'm not going there.

My plant regrets are two: I haven't found a way to have roses (all parts are nutritious and the deer know that). And they nipped off all the tomatoes when the fruit was one day from being ready to pick. Took one bite & left it on the ground. Unless the tomato culprit was a raccoon, which is another topic.

Sent by Kathleen | 5:40 PM ET | 08-27-2008

We garden with regular herds of deer going through our yard daily but this summer has been different. We have not seen many deer in weeks and no evidence of browsing. We grow a few tomato plants and herbs in a fenced in garden. One year the deer leaned over the fence to reach the plants but we still managed to harvest tomatoes. On my short list of plants rarely bothered by deer are Lavender, and Anise hyssop. Both are always healthy and fragrant, a delight to allow to take over sunny areas.

Sent by Chris Maciel | 11:57 PM ET | 08-27-2008

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