Western Trillium (Trillium ovatum), one of many streamside flowers to look for this spring on Vancouver Island. The spring wildflowers are in bloom on Vancouver Island! When British Columbia emerges from its long damp winter it is an ideal time to look for flowers in bloom. There are a number of different species of beautiful wildflowers that grow along coastal …
Destinations
Ripple Rock Trail
Seymour Narrows and the former site of Ripple Rock from the viewpoint. A hundred years ago, the name of Ripple Rock evoked dread in the hearts of mariners, but today entices hikers to explore natural history as well as human history, on the Ripple Rock Trail. The stretch of water in Seymour Narrows, part of the Discovery Passage north of …
Salt Spring Island’s Mount Maxwell
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 …
Ancient Horsetails
During a recent visit to Sayward I happened upon a patch of giant horsetails rising from a roadside ditch. Strangely alluring, the pale brown wand-like fertile shoots appear in spring, followed shortly after by green, vegetative shoots. These anemic fertile shoots, which only last for a short period, are easily overlooked. Most of us are more familiar with the green …
San Josef Bay
The beach at San Josef Bay, Cape Scott Provincial Park. I have made two visits to the San Josef Bay area of Cape Scott Provincial Park. The area is an excellent place for both beach combing and photography. A First Visit to San Josef Bay On the first occasion we drove to the trail head, parked and backpacked the short …
Big Day Birding – Brant Wildlife Festival
One of the fun activities associated with the annual Brant Wildlife Festival is the Big Day Birding competition. Groups of birders work together to find and count the most birds over the course of a big day. The winning team takes home prizes and claims bragging rights. Search for gulls during the Brant Wildlife Festival Big Day bird count. Saturday, …
Spring Flowers at Mount Douglas
The vantage point of the top of Mount Douglas in Saanich offers a spectacular 360o view of rural Saanich and downtown Victoria. The Olympic Mountains across the Strait of Juan de Fuca in Washington state are visible. However, it is worth turning one’s eyes from the striking vista and looking to the ground at this time of year. Much of …
Spawning Spectacle!
Herring roe on fucus, a nutritional meal for many birds and animals. Photo © Guy Monty. Each year herring spawn around Vancouver Island, British Columbia in early March. This year is no exception. Last week, I heard that the herring were spawning near French Creek between Parksville and Qualicum Beach. This area has traditionally been one of the most important …
It’s Satinflower Show Time!
Don’t let the rain stop you – Satinflowers (Olsynium douglasii) look splendid with a few drops of water on the petals. Early spring on Vancouver Island means it’s time to lace on the hiking boots and head out to see the Satinflower (Olsynium douglasii) show. From mid-February to early April this tiny member of the Iris (Iridaceae) family dots the …
Pollen is in the Air
Red Alder (Alnus rubra) begins to produce pollen as early as late February on Vancouver Island. When my husband starts sneezing and snuffling, I know that allergy season has arrived. Here on the coast, pollen allergies can start in late February and continue through to September. To better understand my husband’s suffering I went to the source, the pollen itself. …