Latest Posts …. Welcome
Short essays about amazing wildlife and natural habitats in rural British Columbia’s outdoors. Fireside recollections of rainforest, river, wetland & coastal ecosystems. I hope you enjoy the articles and my wife Christine’s photographs in the links below. The last Five stories are posted here. Please check out the Archives to view previous stories.
Safe Travels
Gordon & Christine Patterson
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Journal – Exploring Nature One Story at a Time
- The Devils Bath
On arrival each step up to the viewing platform deepened the sense of connection to the land, the vista is a salute to the wild beauty and hidden stories of Vancouver Island, the Marble Maria, the Eternal Fountain. Viewing the Devils Bath is like sharing in a secret protected by the forest, a moment of amazement that lingers long after you’ve left, reminding you that even in the most familiar places, nature holds surprises that rekindle curiosity and gratitude. - A Birds Eye View
The wonder of a bird’s eye is more than just a metaphor; it’s a gateway to understanding Mother Nature’s ingenuity. The vision of each of our feathered friends is a result of millennia of evolutionary adaptations responding to ecological demands to eat or avoid being eaten. For instance, a birds flight environment in and of itself requires a precise spatial awareness, rapid processing of visual information, and the ability to spot food or danger from afar. - The Eternal Fountain
A karst feature worth visiting. Hidden to the north of the Nimpkish Valley, deep within the Pacific coastal rainforest, the Eternal Fountain lies surrounded by maturing western hemlock trees whose branches form a dense canopy overhead. The remarkable site is situated in the northern heart of Vancouver Island, along the Alice Lake Loop, a rugged 100 km active logging road, a circuit connecting Port McNeill and Port Alice. - The Northern Hawk Owl
There is great satisfaction writing about outdoor adventures. It allows me to revisit the feelings of special moments deepening my appreciation for natural wonders. We were fortunate to happen upon this magnificent owl in a place where our thoughts are easily held captive by elusive boreal inhabitants. As I write I again experience renewed amazement for order and comfort sitting in nature’s backyard; the symmetry of a bare leafless branch, an infinite cloudless sky, and owl perched with confidence creates an overwhelming sense of freedom. I can relive rare and beautiful sightings time and time again - An Omineca Story
A moose encounter in a nearby wood grove drew me back to a trail barely visible; subtle hoof impressions meandered aimlessly through a forest floor lit by shards of morning sunshine. Walking forward bush pressed against my wool jacket, leaving traces of white frost. I was hoping to capture the spirit of an Omineca moose in a photo
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