Rocky headlands at Radar Hill Beach create dramatic vistas.

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve is well known for its long sandy windswept beaches. Every year over 800,000 people visit this spectacular national park. If you truly want to experience the dramatic power of this landscape, the challenge is finding a place without many people.

When visiting Pacific Rim I try to plan my walks for the early morning and choose trails that are a little bit longer in order to avoid the crowds. If you have to walk longer than thirty minutes the number of people that you encounter drops off fairly quickly and you can begin to appreciate the beauty of the less visited places in the park.

Rocky outcrops at Radar Hill Beach provide excellent viewpoints for photography.

I recently explored one of the unofficial trails in the park that leads from the Radar Hill viewpoint to the Radar Hill Beach. This trail is not maintained by Parks Canada staff and those expecting an easy gravel and boardwalk stroll will be challenged immediately. The reward for your effort is an amazing beach and, at low tide, excellent opportunities for tide pool exploration.

Portions of the Radar Hill Beach trail are very steep and challenging to navigate. There are two sections where climbing using roots as hand holds is necessary.

Be forewarned. This trail is a backcountry slog with a rainforest twist. Sections of the trail are very steep and resemble a climbing wall complete with a rope and a convoluted mass of roots to assist you down and up again. Hiking boots with good ankle support are required and there are multiple places to twist an ankle on an exposed root. In many places the trail goes over, under, or around large old fallen trees. In other parts of the trail you have to balance on top of fallen trees in order to cross over streams and gullies. And finally, there is mud and lots of it. There hasn’t been much rain recently but the trail was still very muddy in places. Allow 45 minutes of scrambling and working through mud, roots and downed trees to hike from the parking lot to the beach itself – it may take you more or less time depending on your fitness level and trail conditions.

Radar Hill is visible from Radar Hill Beach.

Radar Hill Beach is worth the effort. The trail leaves the Sitka spruce and emerges into a small dune ecosystem – typical plants here are Yellow Sand-verbena, Beach-carrot, and Seashore Lupine. Use some care in this fragile area and avoid trampling on the sensitive dune plants.

Seashore Lupin (Lupinus littoralis) is one of the plants that can be found in the sand dunes above the beach at Radar Hill Beach.

The beach itself is framed by rocky headlands and looks out toward several smaller islands. At low tide, many of the rocky islets are surround by sand and it is possible to get good looks at a variety of intertidal life including walls of mussels, purple seastars, gooseneck barnacles, giant green surf anemones. Black oystercatchers nest on the rocky islands so make sure to give them plenty of room. Above all, it is the lack of people that makes this location so special. Over the course of four hours I saw a total of four people, and those only briefly. Opportunities to explore a beach to the south exist but beyond that rocky headlands make further travel difficult.

Small rocky islands at Radar Hill Beach are accessible at very low tides. Use caution and always be aware of when the tide is at its lowest point.

The route to Radar Hill Beach is a challenging “backcountry” alternative to regular trails in the park. The stunning views and isolation make it worth considering.

Need to know:

• Lower level gates to the viewpoint at Radar Hill open at 8:00am and close at 11:00pm – a Park Use Permit is required to access the parking area
• Bring food, water, and appropriate clothing and footwear for a backcountry hike
• Be aware that wildlife encounters are possible on the trail and know what to do if you meet a black bear, cougar or wolf
• A fair level of fitness, balance, and agility is required to navigate roots, trees, and muddy areas
• Visitors using this unofficial trail do so at their own risk – you are on your own

About the Contributor:

Dave Ingram is a nature photographer and writer based in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. More of his images can be seen on Flickr and on Dave Ingram’s Natural History Blog.

The gravel beach and rocky outcrops of South Beach in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve make it a dramatic destination.

I took advantage of the last couple of days of passable weather on the west coast of Vancouver Island to revisit one of my many favourite beaches in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. It’s only a short 800 meter walk from the Wickaninnish Centre to South Beach and there is much for the naturalist to see and experience. 

Bird song in the Sitka Spruce forest along the South Beach Trail includes the Orange-crowned Warbler, Song Sparrow and Fox Sparrow. There is good edge habitat in the flat section of the trail with thickets of Nootka Rose and Thimbleberry providing flowers that attract bees and Rufous Hummingbirds. Further up the hillside, Pacific-slope Flycatchers call and Chestnut-backed Chickadees forage among the high branches of the Sitka Spruce. In the early evening the song of one of my favourite birds, the Swainson’s Thrush begins to spiral upward. 

Nootka Rose (Rosa nutkana) grows along the South Beach Trail.

As a photographer and botanical enthusiast, my attention is drawn to the plants. Nootka Rose (Rosa nutkana) and Thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus) are in full bloom but one has to be careful to avoid the new growth of Stinging Nettle when trying to get closer to the flowers. I knew that Stinging Nettle can sting but now I know what it feels like! The delicate pink flowers of Nootka Rose have a delightful fragrance that fills the air on a warm day. Also growing along the trail are the large leaves of Cow Parsnip, another plant that must be approached with care.

South Beach Trail in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve ascends through a tunnel of Sitka Spruce.

The South Beach Trail ascends on a wooden ramp through a tunnel of thick, stunted Sitka Spruce before reaching the top of a rise. In the damp dark section of trail at the top of the hill look for Skunk Cabbage, Lung Liverwort (Marchantia polymorpha), and Small-flowered Bulrush (Scirpus microcarpus). From here, a narrow cedar staircase descends down towards sound of the open ocean crashing against the rocks of South Beach. 

Villous Cinquefoil (Potentilla villosa) has beautiful yellow flowers and leathery woolly leaves.

South Beach is a curving pebble beach with dramatic rocky outcrops along its sides. For the botanist, these outcrops are the home of a number of very interesting plants. Villous Cinquefoil (Potentilla villosa) seems to grow out of the rock itself and its strongly scented bright yellow flowers contrast sharply against the dark stone. The leaves of this plant are distinctively white-wooly below and thick and leathery in texture, well suited for the exposure of these rocky bluffs. 

Growing in similar locations nearby is Coastal Strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis). It too has thick, leathery leaves but its flowers are white and seem to be scentless. The individual plants are anchored by thick rootstocks that are connected by runners. Coastal Strawberry is never found far from the sea. 

Delicate Nodding Onion (Allium cernuum) contrasts agains the rough stone.

The delicate Nodding Onion (Allium cernuum) can also be found in crevices on these rocky outcrops. This member of the Lily family has a tall nodding stalk with numerous small pink bell-shaped flowers. The basal leaves are grass-like and have a strong onion smell. 

Yellow Monkey-flower (Mimulus guttatus) can often be found in wet seeps on rocky outcrops.

On one of the larger outcrops enough soil has accumulated to support a thicket of Nootka Rose. However, on the lower exposed seeps great profusions of Yellow Monkey-flower (Mimulus guttatus) make a wonderful display. 

People have arranged rocks in decorative piles at South Beach.

These are just a few of the flowers in bloom on the South Beach Trail – there’s much more in bloom to inspire a second (or third) visit. To learn more about the ecology of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve make sure to stop in at the Wickaninnish Centre and talk with a Parks Canada Heritage Interpreter. Guided walks and informative nature programs begin on June 26. 

About the Contributor:

Dave Ingram is a nature photographer and writer based in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. More of his images can be seen on Flickr and on Dave Ingram’s Natural History Blog.

Early blooms of Pacific Rhododendron (Rhododendron macrophyllum) stand out against green leaves.

For those interested in botany and unusual plants it is often necessary to get off the beaten path and explore areas that are sometimes a little less accessible. Rhododendron Lake, just south of Parksville on Vancouver Island, British Columbia is one such destination.

At the end of a 13 km stretch of sometimes-rough gravel logging road is an isolated grove of Pacific Rhododendron (Rhododendron macrophyllum). While this shrub is common in Washington State and further south there aren’t many places in British Columbia where one can see Pacific Rhododendron. On Vancouver Island, Rhododendron Lake is one of only two locations where it can be found. On the mainland, Rhododendron Flats in Manning Park is an easily accessible place to see this gorgeous native shrub.

A moody sky at Rhododendron Lake south of Parksville on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

Rhododendron Lake is somewhat challenging to get to. Just south of Parksville look for the entrance to Island Timberlands. Check in at the gate for a visitor’s permit and directions to the lake. Road conditions are fairly good for the first 9 kilometers but become rougher once you leave the main logging road. While the last 3 kilometers are doable with a compact car (I was driving a Toyota Corolla) using a vehicle with more clearance would be a lot less stressful. Some strategic driving to negotiate steep rough sections, washouts, deep ruts and rocky road is required and branches reaching out over the narrow road may scratch your vehicle. Better to find a friend with an old truck or SUV that can navigate the difficult road. Your other option is to park your vehicle where the narrow track to Rhododendron Lake leaves the main road and walk in.

Pacific Rhododendron (Rhododendron macrophyllum) in bud in early June.

A short rough trail leaves the parking area at Rhododendron Lake and works its way into the Pacific Rhododendron grove. Much of the land around the lake is wet and boggy. Western Bog-Laurel (Kalmia microphylla) is also in bloom at this time of year and it is worth keeping an eye open for other bog plants. The trail is very muddy in places and overgrown with lush Salal (Gaultheria shallon) but still passable.

The thick leathery leaves of Pacific Rhododendron (Rhododendron macrophyllum) are evergreen.

Pacific Rhododendron is one of two species of native rhododendron that grows on Vancouver Island. It has thick, leathery evergreen leaves that are elliptical in shape. The flowers are showy pink to rose-purple and bell-shaped with some spotting. The petals have a wavy edge to them. A second species of rhododendron can be found on Vancouver Island later in the year at higher elevations like Paradise Meadows in Strathcona Provincial Park. The more common White-flowering Rhododendron (R. albiflorum) has smaller white flowers and deciduous leaves that are yellowish-green in colour.

A fresh pink Pacific Rhododendron (Rhododendron macrophyllum) flower brightens a dull gray day at Rhododendron Lake.

For those wishing to view the Pacific Rhododendron in bloom now is the time to make one’s way to Rhododendron Lake. This shrub flowers late in the spring and is just coming into full bloom now in mid-June. Many plants are in bud and over the course of the next two weeks will come into spectacular flower. While it takes a bit of effort to get to the lake it is well worth it to experience this unique plant community on Vancouver Island.

Rhododendron Lake under late spring gray skies.

Getting There:

Click on the Google Map below to view a scrollable version.

Rhododendron Lake, Vancouver Island, British Columbia

Need to Know:

• Check in at the Island Timberlands gate for an access permit and directions to Rhododendron Lake
• Peak bloom time this year is the second and third week of June
• Keep an eye out for wildlife – both wolves and cougars have been reported in the area.
• The road is fairly rough and a vehicle with good clearance is recommended, especially for the last 3 kilometers

About the Contributor:

Dave Ingram is a nature photographer and writer based in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. More of his images can be seen on Flickr and on Dave Ingram’s Natural History Blog.

Dramatic skies at Goose Spit, Comox, British Columbia.

Often the reason a destination is popular has little to do with the superb natural features of an area. Such is the case with Goose Spit Park in Comox, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Usually portrayed as “the” place to enjoy the sunset and an evening beach fire, Goose Spit has much more to offer the curious naturalist.

The parking lot at the far end of Hawkins Road just before it enters HMCS Quadra is an excellent starting place for a dune botanical exploration. Walking west along the beach a number of plants in the pea family (Fabaceae) can be found above the high tide line and among the driftwood logs.

Seashore Lupin (Lupinus littoralis)

At this time of year, Beach Pea (Lathyrus japonicus) is in bloom as are two species of lupin – Seashore Lupin (Lupinus littoralis) and Tree Lupin (L. arboreus). The former is a native species, the latter has been introduced from California, possibly in an attempt to stabilize the shoreline. A third pea that is readily visible is the invasive Scotch Broom (Cystisus scoparius).

When the buildings of the base end, the dunes start to open up. A training obstacle course runs through the center of dune habitat and climbing walls and other apparatus are readily visible. This sandy area is spectacular for early and late spring blooms and many of early the plants are still in bloom at this time of year (although many are also going to seed as well).

Be mindful that this is extremely sensitive habitat and very significant since it is only one of four locations in BC where the endangered Sand-verbena moth is known to exist. Fortunately, much of the dunes are within DND lands and access is prohibited. It is still possible to find and enjoy most of the plants in the narrow strip between the high tide line and the DND boundary.

Watch for the leaves of Yellow Sand-verbena (Abronia latifolia). Some of these plants were transplanted as part of the recovery plan for the Sand-verbena Moth.

Gold Star (Crocidium multicaule)

Other typical dune plants include Gold Star (Crocidium multicaule), a beautiful yellow aster that is just finishing blooming at this time of year – both flowers and seed heads can be found.

Pink Microsteris (Microsteris gracilis)

Pink Microsteris (Microsteris gracilis) is another delicate dune plant common at Goose Spit. Its small pink flowers have five petals and while the plant has a weedy look it is actually a native species.

Black Knotweed (Polygonum paronychia)

Black Knotweed (Polygonum paronychia) grows in the dunes as well. It has a prostrate, shrubby look with thick leaves that are rolled under. The flowers of this plant are white to pink and clustered in the upper leaf axils.

These are just a few of the flowers that can be seen at Goose Spit in the spring and early summer. With a little care, this rare and sensitive ecosystem can be explored and the natural beauty of the flora of the dunes, so often missed by the casual beach walker, experienced and appreciated.

About the Contributor:

Dave Ingram is a nature photographer and writer based in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. More of his images can be seen on Flickr and on Dave Ingram’s Natural History Blog.

Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park

There is no question that the rich eel-grass beds hold a treasure trove of fish and marine invertebrates for careful searchers to discover. But what to do when the tide is in? Fortunately, Rathtrevor has a wealth of interesting botanical features as well. 5.5 km of easy walking trails wind along the shoreline through old-growth coastal Douglas-fir and around the historic farmland of the Rath family homestead. For those interested in botany, these trails provide an excellent opportunity to find and photograph both native and non-native plants.

Here are a few key areas that are good starting places to begin looking for plants in the spring months of April and May:

Common Stork’s Bill (Erodium circutarium), one of many European introduced weeds.

The leaves of Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) can cause a nasty rash.

Poison-hemlock (Conium maculatum) is deadly poisonous.

Miner's Lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata) has a distinctive shield-like leaf.

Saskatoon (Amelanchier alnifolia) produces a beautiful display of white flowers in the spring.

Small-flowered Woodland Star (Lithophragma parviflorum) can be found in open forest near the coast..

Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana) grows in sunny open areas.

Make sure to take a good plant book like Plants of Coastal British Columbia and spend some time discovering these plants and many more as you walk the trails at Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park. During the summer, stop in at the park’s Nature House and ask a naturalist for information about what is in bloom and where.

Need to Know:

• Located in Parksville, Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park is one of the most popular BC Parks campgrounds on Vancouver Island. With 175 drive-in and 25 walk-in sites, reservations are required during summer months.
• Parking fees are in effect for non campers. The daily rate is $3.00. Alternate free roadside parking is available at Shorewood Drive and Juniper Drive but you’ll have to walk along the forest trails to get to the main beach.
• All plants are protected in this Provincial Park – please do not remove or pick any of the flowers. Leave them there for others to enjoy.

About the Contributor:

Dave Ingram is a nature photographer and writer based in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island, British Columbia who worked at Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park as a naturalist in the 1990′s. More of his images can be seen on Flickr and on Dave Ingram’s Natural History Blog.

Western Trillium (Trillium ovatum), one of many streamside flowers to look for this spring on Vancouver Island.

The spring wildflower bloom is well under way on Vancouver Island but there’s still time left to see some of the flowers along coastal forest trails and riversides. Here’s some of the more noticeable species to look for as well as some of the less frequently seen ones.

Pink Fawn Lily (Erythronium revolutum)

Pink Fawn Lily (Erythronium revolutum) - unusual double flower

This Vancouver Island specialty is a spectacular lily to see. Like the name suggests, it is pink in colour (although it comes in varying shades of pink) and usually sports a single nodding flower with bent back tepals. The Pink Fawn Lily (Erythronium revolutum) has a pair of large mottled basal leaves. It can often be found carpeting the ground in moist woodlands along streams and rivers.

Western Trillium (Trillium ovatum)

Western Trillium (Trillium ovatum)

This distinctive white flower is easy to identify. It has a large striking single flower with three large petals. With age, these petals turn to pink and purple in colour. Beneath the flower is a set of three broad leaves arranged in a whorl. Western Trillium (Trillium ovatum) is found in moist forests and along streams and rivers as well as in shaded open forest.

Lyall’s Anemone (Anemone lyallii)

Lyall's Anemone (Anemone lyallii)

This small woodland flower is definitely worth looking for. Lyall’s Anemone (Anemone lyallii) has a single white flower with five sepals (which look like petals). It also has leaves in sets of three but the leaves are lobed and coarsely toothed, making each leaf look like three separate leaves. With a little extra work it can be found alongside some trails in moist coastal forests.

Pacific Bleeding Heart (Dicentra formosa)

Pacific Bleeding Heart (Dicentra formosa)

Just starting to come into bloom is Pacific Bleeding Heart (Dicentra formosa). Common in moist forests and alongside streams and rivers, Pacific Bleeding Heart forms a lacy carpet of fern-like green leaves. Clusters of five to fifteen heart-shaped pink flowers dangle from the stem of the plant. The seeds are dispersed by ants which are attracted to a white oil-rich appendage on each black pebbled seed.

Skunk Cabbage (Lysichiton americanum)

Skunk Cabbage (Lysichiton americanum)

The bright yellow bracts and immature flowers of Skunk Cabbage (Lysichiton americanum) have been been out since late March but now the leaves are really starting to develop and namesake smell of the plant lends its pungent odor to the air. Skunk Cabbage (or Swamp Lantern) prefers to get its feet wet and can be found in swamps and fens, wet forests and mucky seepage areas. You’ll definitely smell it before you see it!

Stream Violet (Viola glabella)

Stream Violet (Viola glabella)

The flowers of Stream Violet (Viola glabella) are yellow and the three lower petals are marked with purple lines. The two lateral petals are white bearded, which is one feature that distinguishes it from the Trailing Yellow Violet (V. sempervirens). The leaves are toothed along the edges and heart-shaped, with the dark green leaf tapering to a point. Like the name suggests, this is another flower to look for alongside streams and in moist forests.

All of these flowers bloom in the spring on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Consult Plants of Coastal British Columbia (Pojar and Mackinnon), a user friendly and comprehensive guidebook to the plants of our area to help identify these beautiful forest flowers.

The road to the Mount Maxwell viewpoint winds through tall Douglas-fir trees.

Over the March Break we took a family trip to Salt Spring Island and explored some of the provincial parks on the island. One of the highlights was Mount Maxwell Provincial Park, and the viewpoint from the bluffs at Mount Maxwell (also called Mount Baynes). Given the weather (cloudy and wet) we weren’t expecting much of a view but we were delightfully surprised.

From Ganges we followed Cranberry Road (which turns into the Mount Maxwell Road) until it turned to gravel. The next section was where the adventure truly began.

The gravel road to the top of Mount Maxwell is steep, narrow and muddy. In places, deep ruts can cause vehicles with low clearance to bottom out.

Signage on the road indicated that the road was not recommended for large RVs and the BC Parks web site describes the road as “steep, narrow and bumpy.” We were driving a Toyota Corolla and did need to be very creative about straddling the low points and avoiding bumpy sections. In two places on the way up we bottomed out briefly and ended up pulling over on a wider section of the road a short distance from the main viewpoint. The road did not appear to have been recently graded in March 2010.

Mount Maxwell provides an excellent viewpoint of Sansum Narrows.

As we walked along the road through a stand of old second-growth Douglas-fir the sky began to clear and the rain stopped. At 602m (1975 ft.) this is one of the higher points on Salt Spring Island and the sheer drop provides a wonderful viewpoint. From the lookout we had magnificent views of Sansum Narrows to the west and Burgoyne Bay directly below. Looking to the southeast, we could see farms in the valley and Fulford Harbour beyond.

Looking southeast from the Mount Maxwell viewpoint, one has a beautiful view of valley farmland and Fulford Harbour beyond.

From a naturalist’s perspective Mount Maxwell Provincial Park was interesting as well. A large conglomerate rock formation at the top provided an opportunity to find a variety of different lichens. The nearby Mount Maxwell Ecological Reserve protects one of Canada’s largest Garry Oak meadows and a significant number of rare associated plants and animals. Note that a permit is required to enter this Ecological Reserve.

A conglomerate outcropping is an interesting place to look for plants and lichens.

One of the many species of lichen found growing on conglomerate rock at the top of Mount Maxwell.

After a brief respite from the rain the clouds began to move in again. We returned to the car and made our way back down the gravel road to Ganges. With a little luck we didn’t bottom out on the way down. Mount Maxwell was definitely worth the effort and merits a return trip and a little more time to explore.

Need to Know:

• Be aware that the gravel portion of the Mount Maxwell Road is very rough in places. With some care and strategic driving you can avoid most of the deep potholes and ruts. RVs are definitely not recommended – the road is steep and narrow making it very difficult (if not impossible) to turn around a large vehicle.
• The bluffs are very steep and the chain link fence at the edge is there for a reason. Do not go beyond it.
• Those thinking of climbing Mount Maxwell from Burgoyne Bay might be interested in reading about a 1922 climb by Colonel Richard Greer and Captain Horace Westmorland recorded in Victoria’s Daily Colonist.

About the Contributor:

Dave Ingram is a nature photographer and writer based in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. More of his images can be seen on Flickr and on Dave Ingram’s Natural History Blog.

Search for gulls during the Brant Wildlife Festival Big Day bird count.

Saturday, April 10

5 a.m. to 3 p.m. counting
3:30 p.m. post count gathering (Shelley Hall) Shelley Road, Parksville
$20 per person

Enter your team for a chance to test your abilities at finding birds. Great prizes and a good time awaits at the post count gathering where lists are tallied, prizes awarded, stories told and dinner served to flocks of hungry birders. Deadline for entering is April 1, 2010.

When you register, your team will receive a Big Day package via e-mail that includes a list of birding Hot Spots in the count area.

All participants get a chance to win the Grand Prize Draw and prizes will be awarded to teams for the Most Species, Most Species Green, Bird of the Day, Best Team Spirit, Story of the Day, Big Sit, and Big Miss.

To register your team, contact Robin Rivers at 1-866-288-7878 ext. 226 or 604-924-9771 or e-mail rrivers@naturetrust.bc.ca or go to our website at www.brantfestival.bc.ca

A small group of Chickweed Monkey-flower (Mimulus alsinoides) growing in a vernal seep.

The vantage point of the top of Mount Douglas in Saanich offers a spectacular 360^o view of rural Saanich, downtown Victoria, and the Olympic Mountains across the Strait of Juan de Fuca in Washington state. However, it is worth turning one’s eyes from the striking vista and looking to the ground at this time of year. Much of the area at the top of Mount Douglas is exposed rock and moss, with small groves of stunted Garry Oak and the odd Arbutus. A number of beautiful flowers can be found with careful searching.

Broad-leaved Shootingstar (Dodecatheon hendersonii) is just starting to come into bloom. Look for the round basal leaves of new plants.

Broad-leaved Shootingstar (Dodecatheon hendersonii) is beginning to come into flower and the round leaves that characterize this species of Dodecatheon are locally common. D. hendersonii tends to be found in open grassy habitat and occurs from the dry Southern Gulf Islands south along the coast to California. Look for the downward pointing flowers with magenta to lavender petals and reddish-purple stamen tube.

Small-flowered Woodland Star (Lithophragma parviflorum) lights up the forest and grassy bluffs.

Small-flowered Woodland Star (Lithophragma parviflorum) can also be found on the grassy south and west facing slopes of Mount Douglas. This saxifrage has beautiful white to pink flowers that consist of deeply three-lobed petals. It is associated with dry Garry Oak forests and coastal bluffs along the southern part of the Strait of Georgia and Gulf Islands but can also be found in similar habitat throughout southern British Columbia. The common name suggests that the flowers look like small stars.

Spring-gold (Lomatium utriculatum) is a bright sign of spring.

At this time of year, Spring-Gold (Lomatium utriculatum) is also in bloom on the the grassy slopes. Appropriately named, the bright yellow cluster of flowers make this member of the Apiaceae (Carrot) Family distinctive. Its leaves are carrot-like as well, soft and lacy and divided into small, very narrow segments. Spring-gold has a taproot and may have been one of the “wild carrots” eaten by First Nations peoples on Southern Vancouver Island.

The "chimp-like" flower of Chickweed Monkey-flower (Mimulus alsinoides).

The Chickweed Monkey-flower (Mimulus alsinoides) favours vernally moist seeps along the mossy slopes and can grown in bright yellow clumps. The Latin for these delightful flowers comes from “mimulus” which means “little actor” and “mimus” which means a “buffoon” – both refer to the fact that the flowers look like little monkey faces. The flowers are small, much smaller than the more showy Yellow Monkey-flower (M. guttatus) and marked with brownish red spots on the lower lip. “Alsinoides” means “like-chickweed” which refers to the chickweed like look of the leaves.

White Fawn Lily (Erythornium oregonum) were thick in the Licorice Fern underneath stunted Garry Oaks on Mount Douglas.

Amongst the Garry Oak (Quercus garryana), White Fawn Lily (Erythronium oregonum) were plentiful on the eastern summit of Mount Douglas, poking out through carpets of thick Licorice Fern (Polypodium glycyrrhiza). White Fawn Lily has a white, nodding flower and long, paired basal leaves that are mottled in colour. Like the other species of plants found on the top of Mount Douglas, White Fawn Lilies tend to be found on the eastern side of Vancouver Island in both grassy open areas, and, as in this case, thick rocky woodlands.

Photographing all of these small flowers can be challenging. Macro work requires close attention to depth of field and ideally the use of a tripod or bean bag for camera support. The top of the mountain can be windy so search for flowers that are growing in a sheltered area. Late afternoon light is ideal as the south and west facing slopes where many of these flowers are found will still be lit late in the day. With careful positioning of the camera it is possible to have the flower lit and the background in shade creating a nice contrast.

White Fawn Lily (Erythornium oregonum) against a soft blue sky.

Access to Mount Douglas is easy, perhaps too easy. Churchill Drive, a narrow paved road that begins at the base of the mountain where Cordova Bay Road, Cedar Hill Road and Shelbourne Road intersect climbs to the top. Parking is limited at the summit and the top of the hill is a popular destination for people enjoying the view. The impact of the large number of people that visit the summit is visible and obvious – numerous trails form a network through sensitive habitat and in many places they have worn the rock bare. Mountain bikers sometimes ride up the paved road and then down the narrow tracks creating more damage. Try to stay on the existing trails and do your best to ignore the broken glass, discarded beer cans, plastic bags and other garbage.

The top of Mount Douglas definitely isn’t a pristine ecosystem but it is worth the effort to visit and explore, especially when you get away from the more heavily used areas. A better strategy to enjoy the park may be to leave your vehicle at a trail head and walk up to the top. At 227m, the climb is not too onerous and it can be a pleasant way to spend a couple of hours. Refer to the District of Saanich Mount Douglas Park web page to download a map of the park and the access trails.

About the Contributor:

Dave Ingram is a nature photographer and writer based in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. More of his images can be seen on Flickr and on Dave Ingram’s Natural History Blog.

Brant (Image © Guy Monty)

The return of Brant geese to the estuaries and bays of Vancouver Island in late February and early March on their migration from California and Mexico is celebrated annually by the Brant Wildlife Festival in Parksville/Qualicum Beach. This year’s festival runs from March 5th to April 28th and features a wide range of activities and events.

Herring spawn and sunset in Parksville, Vancouver Island, BC. (Image © Guy Monty)

The arrival of the Brant is timed to coincide with the arrival of spawning Pacific Herring. The Brant stop to rest and feed on the eelgrass, sea lettuce and herring roe at Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park, Parksville Bay, Columbia Beach and the Little Qualicum River estuary. They are joined by thousands of migrating seabirds, sea lions, seals, bald eagles and gulls providing a phenomenal opportunity for spectacular wildlife viewing.

Here’s a small sampling of some of the events taking place over the course of the festival. Many of the activities require pre-registration so be sure to visit the Brant Wildlife Festival web site to confirm dates and other details. For more information or to pre-register contact Robin Rivers at rrivers@naturetrust.bc.ca or call toll free 1-866-288-7878.

Brant in the Bay

Arrowsmith Naturalists will be on hand at the Parksville Community Park to answer your questions about the Brant geese and the herring spawn. Bring your binoculars and a camera.

Saturday, March 6, 2010
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Star Gazers Astronomy Night

See stars and constellations. Learn about the night skies in the northern hemisphere with David Prud’homme. Please bring a lawn chair and binoculars, and dress warmly. Pre-register, $5/person. Note: clear skies only.

Saturday, March 6, 2010
7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Rathtrevor Provincial Park

Wild Shores Herring Tour

Learn about the amazing spawning cycle of herring with Pacific Rainforest Adventure Tours as the briny blue waters of Georgia Strait explode in a spectacle of spring fever. Pre-register, $20/person.

Sunday, March 7, 2010
10 a.m. to noon

Robert Bateman’s Kids Get to Know Nature Camp

Children aged 6 to 12 are invited to Rathtrevor Provincial Park to get to know their wild neighbours in the great outdoors and learn to express their understanding of the natural world through games, art, photography, woodwork and journals. Pre-register $20 each session or $90 for 5 sessions

Spring Break, March 8-12, 2010
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (bring a lunch)
Rathtrevor Provincial Park

Wild Shores Salish Sea Tour

Discover the biological riches of the Salish Sea with Pacific Rainforest Adventure Tours at one of our favourite places where lapping waves and sounds of nature all contribute to the ambiance of this special location. Pre-register, $20/person.

Sunday, March 14, 2010
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Wild Shores Secluded Shores Tour

Enhance your understanding of plants and animals that live in tide pools with Pacific Rainforest Adventure Tours. Pre-register, $20/person.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010
4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Wild in Alberni: Somass Estuary Tour

Explore one of Vancouver Island’s natural gems with the Alberni Valley Enhancement Association. Enjoy great birding, beautiful views, discover evidence of historic tsunamis and First Nations sites that date artifacts back 4000 years. Pre-register, free.

Sunday, March 28, 2010
1:30 pm to 3:30 pm

Wild Shores Intertidal Tour 2

Explore tide pools with Pacific Rainforest Adventure Tours to see wild creatures where ocean and land meet. Pre-register, $20/person.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010
noon to 2 p.m.

Learn to Bird

Join birder Guy Monty to learn about the pleasures of being able to locate and identify birds by sight and song. Whether on a morning walk or travelling there is something very special about being able to identify the birds you see and call them by name. Pre-register, $20/person for both sessions.

Thursday, April 1, 2010
5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Saturday, April 3, 2010
8:30 a.m. to noon

Buttertubs Marsh Nature Walk

Join naturalist Bill Merilees for a walk around this special wetland in Nanaimo. An author and world traveler, Bill is known for his curiosity and dedication to discovery. Pre-register, $5/person.

Saturday, April 3, 2010
10 a.m. to noon

Wild Shores and Tide Pools Tour

Have an exciting educational experience with Pacific Rainforest Adventure Tours visiting the unique habitat where the ocean meets the land. Pre-register, $20/person.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010
5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Big Day Birding

This is a fun event that gives everyone a chance to test their abilities finding birds. Teams will find and record as many bird species as they can during the allotted time. There are tons of prizes and a good time is had by all at the post count gathering where lists are tallied, prizes awarded, stories told and dinner served.

If you don’t have a team but would like to participate, let us know and we will try to match you up with a group.

Birding takes place from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m.
3:30 to 5:30 p.m. is the post count gathering and opportunities to share stories of the day. Pre-register, $20/adult, $10/child.

Saturday, April 10, 2010
Counting 5 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Buds ‘n Blooms Plant Walk

Join Karen Barry to explore forest trail and wild meadows in search of spring’s first blooms. Learn about flowering phenology and native plants. Hosted by Pacific Rainforest Adventure Tours. Pre-register, $20/person.

Sunday, April 11, 2010
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Brant in the Bay in Comox

Join birders from the Comox Valley Naturalists to celebrate Goose Spit Park and the migration of Pacific Black Brant. Learn about the Brant’s long journey and get a chance to observe the birds up close through spotting scopes set up along the beach.

Saturday, April 17, 2010
noon to 3 p.m.
Goose Spit Park, Comox
Free

Splash!

A special event celebrating local food, wine and beer benefiting the Brant Wildlife Festival.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010 at 6 p.m.
Pacific Shores Resort & Spa.
Tickets are $75 per person. Call toll free 1-866-288-7878 to reserve tickets or e-mail tloewen@naturetrust.bc.ca