Tag: San Jo Smiley
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The Deep Silence of 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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Patience in a Blind
As September arrives in Northern British Columbia, sitting in a blind in a woodland area has brought many joys and sense of pause to my family. Moss and lichen covers the ground, old logs weathered and bleached blend into the earth, and new growth of poplar and pine appear alongside, a sign of Mother Nature’s…
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Rainforest Moss
Moss is an ancient lower plant form, dating back 450 million years, yet has survived higher plant orders and thrived through a range of drastic climate changes and ice ages. World wide they comprise of 15,000 to 25,000 species, and occur on every continent and in every ecosyste habitable by plants that use sunlight for energy
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The Black Bellied Plover
As winter’s steel-blue sky loosens and sunlight begins to warm, avian life emerges along the shores of Vancouver Island’s Hardy Bay. In a gentle and magical transformation coastal ecosystems are awakening in a riot of shorebird activity. As Salmon and Thimble berries blossom and spawning herring flood shoals and bays, large flocks of opportunistic seals,…
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Whispers in the Forest
On any given day, the winding nature trails and secret hideaways of the Pacific Northwest unfold like living storybooks. Stepping on the forest floor of brown peat covered with soft moss and fir needles, every footfall brings both a sense of peace and anticipation. Christine, Rosie and I crave our outdoor experiences.
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A Wilderness Sanctuary
It is amazing how much tranquility can be discovered along secluded, untouched waterways, where the scenery is nothing short of breathtaking and the palette of the natural world captures the soul. The all-encompassing beauty of Mother Nature instills a deep sense of well-being, nurturing an appreciation for life’s elegant simplicity. For those seeking respite from…
