Wonderful Wildlife in the Out-Back …..

Rosie, Christine and I were again camped in the low lands of the Nimpkish Valley, along the historical indigenous “grease trail” linking the west and east coast of Vancouver Island. The ancient trail was an arduous foot & water travel-way used by Namgis first peoples to navigate through the Vancouver Island Range. Today the passageway is only a memory sown into the fabric of history, of our much loved North Island rainforest.

After a delicious lakeside snack we decided to take an afternoon drive to a favourite high forest trailhead to meld our thoughts with nature, hoping to spot wildlife as they arose out of hiding for evening foraging. For many years I was a hunter of big game during wildlife pre-evening activities, providing annual table fare for a growing family. Nowadays I derive greater joy watching, observing, and writing about wildlife over the finality of a rifle shot.

So it was this beautiful September day as the three of us ventured off grid to connect with the Wild Kingdom; greeted by a gentle breeze filtering through a maze of small evergreens, bracken fern, salal, and cotton covered fireweed stalks, on this bright autumn afternoon. The air carried a pleasing sweet earthy scent, a mix of fall leaves, fir cones, moss, fungi, and ripened berries; as we quietly walked on an old gravel road unremitting forces of nature would soon reclaim. Our goal: simply to enjoy the outdoors and forest life amidst the openness of shoulder-high young rejuvenating evergreens and along nameless trails secreted under a rainforest canopy….

Woodland tranquility is magical, revitalizing our feelings of well-being…. Awed by seasonal backcountry changes we take every opportunity to get-out-here, to wallow in Fall’s colourful splendour becoming immersed in curiosity of what hidden secrets are waiting discovery over the next rise or behind the next bush. A symphony of wildlife sounds pulling us forward… cheeky squirrels, songbirds, and drumming of Ruffed Grouse. The kee kee kee of a soaring Red-Tailed Hawk, the tapping of a woodpecker working, and vocal musings of Ravens added to autumn’s relaxing ambience.

Suddenly the forest went silent and a thrilling, loud resounding bugle of a romantic Bull Elk pierced the air. The call reverberated across the valley and into our hearts.… filling our imaginations full of viewing possibilities, reminding us the woodland is the Wild Kingdom’s domain with many inhabitants…. well adapted to hiding in plain sight. If we are patient, quiet, and vigilant perhaps wildlife would obligingly appear.

The lure of woodland mystique far from city trapping brings us here often, attracted by the North Island’s amazing biodiversity; building lasting memories in spectacular nurturing ecosystems that deer, elk, bears, marten, squirrels and many more call home. The remoteness of the valley allows animals to go about their business unfettered by human influence. The fertile pollution free woodland cradles wildlife, gifting rich foraging, shelter, and security to a stunning variety of wildlife large and small. It is said British Columbia’s rainforest woodlands have more biological diversity than any other Canadian Province or Territorial habitat. Isn’t that amazing!

The bugle emanated from an adjacent older rainforest populated by monumental evergreens,Western Hemlock, Douglas-Fir, and Red Cedar; we headed to a favourite well used animal trail sided by dynamic gardens of moss, huckleberry bushes, ferns, and salmon berry underbrush. In prior outings we’ve encountered many wonderful inhabitants, sheltering under a rainforest canopy, nesting in trees, hiding in hollows, or laying in moss beds and soft undergrowth… again our afternoon expectations were overwhelmingly rewarded.

Then, as evening shadows were falling a magnificent Bull Roosevelt Elk walked out of the forest into the sunlight 15 meters from us, leaving the dense sanctuary of his woodland habitat… his 400 kilo mass moving effortlessly through the low open bush. He placed each hoof forward with deliberate graceful confidence, his massive tan shoulders rippling with power, then he stopped, pitched his head high and carefully scanned the valley through soulful black eyes.

Shards of afternoon sun glistened off the ivory tips of his heavy branched antlers, silhouetted against vibrant green forest backdrop. His statuesque profile epitomized the untamed beauty of the Wild Kingdom, leaving us speechless. Although he typically led a solitary backcountry existence, today a primal instinct drove him to the forest clearing seeking a harem to mate with. Milling around were a dozen or so bashful cow elk hiding in tall green foliage yet hopeful to participate in nature’s grand circle of life, creating the next generation of offspring. Cow elk are antlerless and much smaller than Bulls.

We sat and watched the natural drama unfold in a theatre of absolute glory until evening shadows drew a curtain of darkness, folding the day away. We returned back to our campsite fully invigorated by the gift of an afternoon cavorting with wildlife…. Lending to an amazing day in the Wild Kingdom feeling blessed as we recalled the sights and sounds of the day’s fortune; relaxing by a warm flickering campfire.

Safe travels folks,

Gord

Photos © 2024 Christine Patterson