Waterfall Gets Stamp of Approval

We had originally planned a family trip to the spectacular Little Qualicum Falls in Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park but by the time we arrived (approximately 45 minutes from Courtenay) both of the kids were asleep in the back of the car and we were faced with a dilemma: wake the kids or drive further afield. For those of you …

A Morning in the Marsh

Guest post by Marcie Callewaert The Somenos Marsh is a renowned bird watching location just north of Duncan, British Columbia. It is home to hundreds of bird species who are year-round residents, and many that just stop by on their migration path. Besides birds; muskrats, beaver and river otter also reside here. The Somenos Marsh Wildlife Society has been working …

Spring Streamside Wildflowers

Guest Post by Jocie Brooks “Spring is finally here,” I think, letting the little ones run ahead of me down the path as I take in the fresh greenery and colourful wildflowers, while listening to a burst of melodious bird song. Today, we are heading out to find some of spring’s finest flowers, and the kids have volunteered as my …

Sand Patterns

Long curves of rippled sand mark the beach where Sandhill Creek empties into the Pacific Ocean. I’ve been busy working on a project related to the sand dunes at Wickaninnish Beach and haven’t had as much time to devote to my blog as I’d like. However, in the process of sorting through vast numbers of dune related images I stumbled …

Fall in Paradise

Red blueberry leaves add a touch of colour in Paradise Meadows, Strathcona Provincial Park. We’ve had a glorious fall weekend here on Vancouver Island and I’ve been up to Paradise Meadows in Strathcona Provincial Park for the second time this week. At this time of year, the fall colours in the meadows are spectacular and with a couple of frosty …

Learning about Ligules

I’m out on the west coast of Vancouver Island this weekend finding out more about Parks Canada’s dune restoration program in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. European Beachgrass (Ammophila arenaria) creates a wall at the edge of the dunes that prevents sand movement. Sand dunes up and down the west coast of North America are being choked with introduced grasses, …

Clouds and Wire – BC SkyWatch #12

SkyWatch Friday was yesterday but I thought that I share some of these cloud photographs I took earlier this week. Late in the afternoon a dramatic set of clouds formed over downtown Courtenay, British Columbia. A double rainbow appeared, lasting about 15 minutes before ending in a short heavy downpour. I really didn’t have much to work with as far …

Wickaninnish Beach – BC Skywatch #11

Well folks, another SkyWatch Friday has rolled around. This Friday, Wickaninnish Beach near Tofino and Uclulet is the destination of choice! Located on the West Coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia the sandy beaches in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve are known for their spectacular sunsets (when it isn’t foggy or raining!). While Long Beach is usually the primary stop …

Comber’s Beach Sunset – BC Skywatch #10

Sunset at Comber’s Beach It’s been a while since I’ve posted a series of Skywatch images but this Friday I walked from Wickaninnish Beach to Comber’s Beach in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. Various combinations of sand and water and sky presented themselves and changing the camera position slightly revealed different patterns and textures. It was one of the uncommon …

Dune Tansy Revisited

Dune Tansy (Tanacetum bipinnatum ssp. huronense) can be found along the edge of the beach at Schooner Cove in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. While out at Schooner Cove last week I decided to check out the small sand dunes for a number of dune plants. It was here at the top of the beach that I found two species …