What can your children learn from a fish? Plenty — about determination, perseverance, and the weird and fascinating drama of nature.

Every year, Pacific salmon travel hundreds of miles through the ocean, navigating storms and slipping past predators and fishermen’s nets, focused relentlessly on arriving at the local streams where they were hatched.

Their purpose: to mate and bury their eggs in the stream bottom before they die.

In September and October, sockeye and Chinook (also known as “king”) arrive in the area. In November, chum and coho take their turn in fresh water.

By the time they fight their way into the creeks, the salmon’s sleek bodies have been transformed. Males’ jaws become hooked (except for coho, whose females also develop a less-pronounced hooked jaw), and their silver scales take on earthier tones. Chinook darken to copper, sockeye turn red with green heads, chum grow reddish stripes and coho sport green backs and red bellies. They no longer eat, and white fungus often forms blotches on their skins.

While they’re alive, the salmon keep going in spite of the difficulty of their journey. They battle the current to swim upstream, and compete with each other to win mates and spawning spots. They die soon after spawning, and as they decompose, their bodies fertilize the streams.

Why not take your kids to watch this action? Spawning salmon are clearly visible from a number of local vantage points. It’s a chance for your family to get outdoors and learn about an amazing part of the region’s natural history. And don’t feel silly if you find yourself cheering a fish — people do it all the time!

Clark’s Creek, Puyallup
Leave the car at Puyallup’s Clark’s Creek Park and follow a short trail to a footbridge overlooking spawning chum salmon, starting in November. The main run is in December.
Info: www.wdfw.wa.gov/fish/chum

Minter Creek Hatchery, Gig Harbor
Visitors can tour the hatchery (12710 125th Ave. Court KPN) and then walk three-quarters of a mile down a gravel road to view a large run of chum and coho salmon, starting in November.
Info: 253-857-5077

Capitol Lake, Olympia
View incoming chinook from the Fifth Avenue Southwest bridge in September and early October. Volunteer salmon stewards will be available to give information on evenings and weekends.
Info: 360-753-8454

Deschutes River, Tumwater
Watch spawning chinook in Tumwater Falls Park in September and early October. Salmon stewards will be on hand evenings and weekends.
Info: www.olytumfoundation.org/park.html, 360-754-4148

McLane Creek Nature Trail, Capitol State Forest
This gentle nature loop offers streamside views of spawning chum salmon in November and December. Stream stewards will be there on Saturdays and Sundays from about Nov. 10 to Dec. 9. From Olympia, drive west on Mud Bay Road. Turn left onto Delphi Road. Turn right at the sign for the trail.
Info: 360-357-2491

Kennedy Creek, Mason County, northwest of Olympia
Around 40,000 chum cram into the lower two miles of this creek to spawn each fall. Best viewing is from a half-mile interpretive trail. Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays from Nov. 3 to Dec. 2. From Highway 101, turn west at Old Pacific Highway. Follow the sign onto a gravel road to Kennedy Creek.
Info: 360-427-9436

Fiona Cohen is a Seattle-based freelance journalist.

Salmon-watching tips

First time out? Here are some tips so you know what to expect.

• Bring binoculars for a better view of the salmon’s physical changes.
  
  
• Dress to stay warm — watching salmon is a quiet activity.
  
  
• Keep pooches leashed (if dogs are allowed). A dead salmon might look like an irresistible snack.
  
  
• If you see a dead fish, leave it where it is. The ecosystem needs them!
  
  
• The salmon are hard at work. Don’t disturb them in any way.
  
  
• Stay out of the water. Who needs wet feet in October, anyway?

Salmon Festivals

Issaquah Salmon Days Festival
Oct. 6-7, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., free admission
The festival gives you a chance to watch returning fish in action along with thousands of other people. Plus, enjoy a parade, browse arts and crafts for sale, and head to the Field of Fun for lots of kids’ activities.
www.salmondays.org

Carkeek Park Watershed Celebration
Nov. 23, noon-2 p.m., free
Gather at the Environmental Learning Center for an open house, then trek down to Pipers Creek to look for salmon in the water. www.seattle.gov/parks/environment/carkeek.htm, 206-684-0877