Tag: Pacific Great Blue Heron
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Coastal Rainforests of British Columbia
BC’s Coastal Rainforests are a living, breathing, and interdependent synergy of ecosystem components, coexisting in balance with each other. Collectively they are self perpetuating biosphere of tall trees, plants, wildlife, reptiles, and many other organisms found along coastal British Columbia. Forest ground cover includes decaying matter that continuously supports soil nutrient input and replenishment. Optimal…
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The Pacific Great Blue Heron
The Great Blue Heron is perhaps the most easily recognized and iconic shore bird in British Columbia. Standing on tall stilt legs, the heron’s handsome blue grey body, bearded chest, long neck, and capped head with slender orange beak grabs your attention right away. They are the largest wading bird in North America.
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Woodland Lichen
The diversity of vegetation in British Columbia’s Rainforest is amazing, especially in the cool humid environment of North Vancouver Island’s coastal forests. During snow free seasons, hikers are rewarded by volumes of lush foliage sporting unique shapes and designs, scattered between tall evergreens….. Wonderful flora pleasing to the eye with exciting shades of green and…
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Mushrooms: The Incredible World of Fungi
Fungi has an essential role in the natural function of forest ecosystems. Wood-decaying fungi are the primary decomposers breaking down dead wood and recycling nutrients back into the soil! They are also instrumental in creating diverse wildlife habitats by softening wood to form cavities, providing shelter, and forming the base of a food chain for…
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The Nimpkish Valley
The Nimpkish Valley links the west and east coasts of Vancouver Island and in ancient times served as an important First Nation commerce route via waterways and forest pathways. Such routes were commonly called “grease trails” because of first peoples trade in oolichan grease, a much sought after commodity. The Valley’s westward trails were used…
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Canada’s Bald Eagle
The Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is actually a subspecies of Eurasia’s Sea Eagle, and prefers to home around water; rivers, lakes, and ocean environments with an ample supply of their main food…. fish. Bald Eagles will also prey on small animals and indeed scavenge on fish carcasses and other carrion. They are at the top of…
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September in the Tlakwa
September is mating season when massive heavy antlered male elk (bulls) are on the move, seeking slender females (cows) to start a new generation. Like clockwork as soon as leaves start to turn yellow and shades of brown, elk begin their annual hormone driven mating (rutting) season. Male animals become solitary and roam & bugle…
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A Vancouver Island Morning
Went beach combing this clear brisk January morning with Rosie my Australian Shepherd and thought: “what a magical place Vancouver Island is!” A veritable treasure chest of breathtaking beauty tucked away on an Island 460 km long and 100 km wide… Lush green rainforests, spectacular wildlife, white snowcapped mountains, glaciers, rivers and estuaries all enveloped…
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Lake Surprises
A stillness laid upon the lake, creating magical reflections of snow capped Insular Mountain prominences, exacting in every detail right down to fluffy white clouds. Perfect conditions for the kayaking & wildlife viewing we hoped to do. (Who could have imagined the wonderful fortune nature would bestow upon us today?) Magnificent Roosevelt Elk.
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Douglas-Fir Flowers
Spring is a renewal time for Mother Nature, especially visible in the Pacific Northwest outdoors, we knew this and why we were out and about. Still, can you imagine our amazement happening upon a fabulous and unexpected curiosity: a “flowering evergreen tree”! We had no idea such flowers existed, yet here before us was a…
