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Blister Glassy-Bubble Snail Bonanza!

Lastest blog post featuring the blister glassy-bubble snail (Haminoea vesicula) and yellow egg masses, both of which were numerous in the eelgrass beds at Kye Bay, Comox, British Columbia.

The blister glassy-bubble snail (Haminoea vesicula) is common in the sheltered eelgrass beds on the east side of Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Typically known as a “bubble snail,” this species of sea snail also goes by the name blister paper bubble, white paper bubble, and the white bubble shell. This unique marine creature belongs to the family Haminoeidae and is identifiable by its…

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Witty's Lagoon and Sitting Lady Falls

Witty's Lagoon and Sitting Lady Falls are excellent walking destinations near Victoria on Vancouver Island British Columbia. This regional park is an excellent place for birdwatching and botanizing. Make sure to visit at different times of the year!

Witty’s Lagoon Regional Park is located in Metchosin, on the southern coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The regional park is well-known for its diverse and rich ecosystem, walking trails, and excellent birdwatching. At over 58 hectares, the area is home to a large number of plant and bird species. In addition to nature viewing, one of the notable attractions of Witty’s Lagoon is the…

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Spotted Asparagus Beetle

Get ready for spring gardening and start thinking about the spotted asparagus beetle (Crioceris duodecimpunctata)! Several of these introduced beetles showed up on my asparagus plants last summer in my garden on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

Asparagus beetles are insects that belong to the family Chrysomelidae. Like the name suggests, these beetles can cause damage to asparagus plants. The two most common species of asparagus beetles are the common asparagus beetle (Crioceris asparagi) and the spotted asparagus beetle (Crioceris duodecimpunctata). Both species are native to Europe but have now spread to other parts of the world,…

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Niagara Falls in Goldstream Provincial Park

An early winter stop at Niagara Falls in Goldstream Provincial Park on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. This waterfall is easily accessible when travelling south to Victoria. Look for the parking area at the base of the Malahat. Well worth the stop!

The winter months are a perfect time to stop in for a quick walk to Niagara Falls in Goldstream Provincial Park. During the summer, water flow is low and the Niagara Creek slows to a trickle. When the rain arrives in November and December, the falls return to their dramatic flow. This Vancouver Island, British Columbia waterfall is definitely worth a visit! Niagara Falls in Goldstream Provincial…

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Nanaimo's Ammonite Falls

A return to Ammonite Falls in Nanaimo's Benson Creek Falls Regional Park. The new staircase makes accessing the base of the waterfall much easier and the trail has been improved compared to ten years ago.

When I first visited Ammonite Falls ten years ago things were different. At the time, the waterfall was “off the beaten track.” There was no established parking area, which meant that hikers left their cars on the shoulder of the road. Locals put up signs to prevent people from blocking access to their driveways. It was tricky to find the access point. And you had to use a rope to climb down a…

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Gull Watching from Beechey Head

Are you good at identifying gulls? Perhaps you're looking for a challenge? Beechey Head in East Sooke Regional Park, Vancouver Island, BC is a great place to view gulls flying over the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

Most people visit Beechey Head for the spectacular views out of the Strait of Juan de Fuca or the interesting botany. This viewpoint in East Sooke Regional Park is also an excellent place to view the turkey vulture and hawk migration in the fall. The Head represents one side of the narrowest gaps between Vancouver Island and Washington State. Raptors and vultures stage here in large kettles prior…

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California Broomrape, A Beautiful Surprise!

California Broomrape (Orobanche californica) is a parasitic plant that is found in association with Pacific gumweed in coastal areas of southern British Columbia and Gulf Islands. It's easy to miss but a delight to find!

I’m not sure if I’ve seen California broomrape (Orobanche californica) on Vancouver Island before so when I saw a few plants on the rocky shoreline in East Sooke Regional Park I was pretty excited. Broomrapes are very interesting parasitic plants that are often overlooked because of their small size. And while I have seen naked broomrape fairly frequently over the years, this plant was clearly…

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Naked Broomrape - A Fascinating Parasitic Plant

Naked broomrape (Aphyllon uniflorum) is a beautiful little plant that is parasitic on sedums, saxifrages, and members of the sunflower family. It is found in southeast Vancouver Island, nearby southern Gulf Islands and parts of southern British Columbia.

British Columbia is home to a number of spectacular broomrapes like naked broomrape (Aphyllon uniflorum). These beautiful parasitic plants are easy to miss because of their size. However, once you know what to look for they can be found regularly. Understanding the connection between the parasite and the host plant is an important factor in locating and identifying different species of broomrape.…

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Christie Falls Hike

A mid-June hike to Christie Falls, Ladysmith, Vancouver Island, British Columbia. At the right time of year, there are several spectacular waterfalls that can be viewed on this easy walk.

If you haven’t had a chance to walk out to Christie Falls in Ladysmith, British Columbia make sure to add it to your list. You have a number of options to hike out to the short trail that leads to the waterfalls. However, the easiest access point is via Arroyo Road. The first part of the walk is along a gravel road that ends at the Bush Creek hatchery and includes Cowichan Valley Trail. This…

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Garry Oak Meadow Wildflowers at Mount Tzouhalem

Mount Tzouhalem Ecological Reserve is an excellent destination to view a variety of different wildflowers that can be found in Garry oak meadows.

The Mount Tzouhalem Ecological Reserve is spectacular for viewing wildflowers typical of Garry oak meadows. Beginning in the early spring, deltoid balsamroot, shootingstar, and common camas are very prolific. In early summer, the onions begin in earnest and several species are easy to find in the long grass. Looking more carefully, it is possible to find a number of other less obvious, but…

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Mount Tzouhalem Ecological Reserve Wildflowers

July wildflowers in bloom at Mount Tzouhalem Ecological Reserve near Duncan, British Columbia include several members of the Lily family. Now is an excellent time to look for flowers in this Garry Oak meadow ecosystem.

Mount Tzouhalem is located near Duncan on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The area is recognized for its network of mountain biking and hiking trails. However, it is also the location of Mount Tzouhalem Ecological Reserve and a spectacular Garry oak wildflower meadow. Path through grassy meadow at Mount Tzouhalem Ecological Reserve. The meadows are a fairly short 15 minute walk from the…

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Stocking Creek Waterfall in Saltair, BC

Stocking Creek waterfall in Saltair on Vancouver Island (between Ladysmith and Chemainus) is a beautiful destination with a short forest walk. It's well worth the time!

Stocking Creek Waterfall with early summer water flow. If you’re looking for an easy forest walk with a beautiful waterfall as the main destination, Stocking Creek Park is an excellent choice. The park is located in the Cowichan Valley Regional District in the small community of Saltair, between Ladysmith and Chemainus on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Accessing Stocking Creek…

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Second Growth Forest Near Comox Lake

Black and white photographs of second growth forest near Comox Lake on Vancouver Island, BC. The forest is dark and like something out of a twisted fairy tale. The short trail takes you to Comox Lake Bluffs Ecological Reserve.

A short trail to Comox Lake Bluffs Eco-reserve winds through dark second growth forest. It can be a quiet and eery place, even on a sunny day. However, late in the day the shoulder of the Beaufort Range blocks sunlight. The setting sun illuminates the upper parts of the trees, while the understory is dark and gloomy with little vegetation. The trail to Comox Lake Bluffs Eco-reserve makes its way…

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Sandcut Beach at Jordan River Regional Park

The waterfalls at Sandcut Beach near Jordan River (between Sooke and Port Renfrew) on the west side of Vancouver Island are a great destination for photography. The falls are best in the early spring, late fall and winter when water flow is high.

Sandcut Creek waterfall drops down to a gravel beach in Jordan River Regional Park. The waterfall at Sandcut Beach in Jordan River Regional Park is an easy destination for groups of all ages. The short walk through the forest and along the beach is ideal for families with small children. The waterfall is an attractive, and achievable goal. However, for the photographer it is sometimes difficult…

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Brigade Lake Trail Hike

Flash back to this summer during these dark wet winter days - an August hike to Brigade Lake on Vancouver Island and an amazing swim at the end.

This summer I decided to check out some of the less frequently hiked trails between Port Alberni and the west coast. In mid-August, the Brigade Lake Trail was my hike of choice. The idea of a moderate hike in the forest with a lake destination at the end was appealing, especially during the heat of the summer. The destination – Brigade Lake, Vancouver Island, BC Access to the Brigade Lake Trail…

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Razor Clams at Long Beach in Pacific Rim National Park

Razor Clams at Long Beach in Pacific Rim National Park - a look at the signature bivalve mollusk that can be found on the exposed beaches of the west coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

Razor clams (Siliqua patula) are the signature shellfish associated with the west coast and Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. The long, exposed sandy beaches are perfect habitat for this surf-loving clam. In the national park, the stretch of Long Beach between Green Point and Schooner Cove is prime Pacific razor clam habitat. While live clams are difficult to view, if your timing is good and…

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Wildflowers in Wickaninnish Beach Dunes

The sand dunes at Wickaninnish Beach in Pacific Rim National Park reserve are home to many beautiful wildflowers including pink-sand verbena and beach morning-glory.

The Wickaninnish beach dunes are a fascinating place to view wildflowers that are unique to dune ecosystems. Parks Canada staff and volunteers at Pacific Rim National Park Reserve have worked in the dunes to remove introduced grass species. As a result, sand movement has improved and native plants are thriving in this dynamic and harsh environment. At this time of year, many of the wildflowers…