Deer Cabbage (Fauria crista-galli) leaves are spectaular in the fall. These plants were photographed at Paradise Meadows in Strathcona Provincial Park on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.
Strathcona Provincial Park
Gray Jay
Gray Jay | Perisoreus canadensis One of the more common and frequently seen birds in the sub-alpine is the whiskey jack or gray jay (Perisoreus canadensis). In Paradise Meadows these social birds gather at places where hikers stop for lunch and commence aggressively begging for food. Unfortunately, many people give in to the begging either to “help” the bird out …
Red Crossbill
Red Crossbill | Loxia curvirostra Red Crossbills (Loxia curvirostra) have been fairly common up in the sub-alpine this weekend. These finches are named after their very noticeable “crossed bill” which is useful for extracting seeds from conifers. According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s All About Birds the “bird’s biting muscles are stronger than the muscles used to open the …
Summer on the Wane in the Sub-alpine
Menzies’ Burnet | Sanquisorba menziesii Subalpine Daisy | Erigeron peregrinus The last two days up at Paradise Meadows (located in Strathcona Provincial Park, BC) have definitely had a hint of the fall in the air. While this makes for good hiking weather (cool but not cold) it’s also a sign that the late summer bloom is nearly done and that …
Paradise Meadows
Paradise Meadows in Strathcona Provincial Park has a number of hiking loops that are excellent for both photography and botanizing. We headed out to Lake Helen Mackenzie today on a family hike and I attempted to squeeze in some photography along the way. Thankfully, Alden our 2 year old, is a slow walker and likes to check things out as …
Wetland Landscapes
Photography can be challenging at the best of times. Try throwing a 2 year old in a backpack into the mix. “Hold still – Daddy’s trying to take a photo!” You get the picture! Today we took an impromptu walk in Paradise Meadows in Strathcona Provincial Park with both kids in tow (almost 2 year old Alden and 3 month …