Ballard Locks

We finally made it down to the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks or the Ballard Locks.  

First we watched a tour boat come in from the Sound and head into Salmon Bay.    The actual raising of the ship from sea level to the bay level was a lot faster than I thought it would be. 

Then we walked across the lock and were able to read about what has been done to help young salmon called smolt go through the locks with a higher survival rate. 

We also saw a bird (I think a heron) and a seal catching fish.

Then for the big finale…the fish ladder!  Thomas loved watching the fish equally as much as watching the bubbles in the water.  The fish made Mike want to go out and start fishing that minute.