At this time of the year on the Shorepine Bog trail in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve two different species of gentians are blooming. Both are easy to see with a little effort and can be found in bogs and wet areas on Vancouver Island. King Gentian The rich blue flowers of the King Gentian (Gentiana sceptrum) suggest a king’s …
Shorepine Bog Trail
Back in the Bog
The snake-like hood of Cobra Lily (Darlingtonia californica) is a bright green that stands out along the Shorepine Bog Trail in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. I love walking the Shorepine Bog out at Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. There’s always something interesting in bloom and the bizarre twisted Shore Pines (Pinus contorta var. contorta) give the whole boardwalk a …
Strolling the Shorepine Bog Trail
The shorepines in the bog look like something out of a Dr. Seuss book. It is a short 800 meter boardwalk through some of the most surreal “Dr. Seuss-like” landscape. Stunted pines grow into twisted bizarre shapes. Small carnivorous plants survive in this acidic and nutrient poor habitat by consuming insects. Water-logged sphagnum moss is also part of the scenery …