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 Looking for images of British Columbia’s beautiful Cowichan Valley? You have come to the right place. Kevin Oke Photography has over 80,000 photographs available of the Cowichan Valley and the surrounding areas. From wooden boats to spectacular aerial photographs we can provide you with what you are looking for. Posters, screensavers and art prints are available as well. Can’t find what you want? Please contact us with your requirements. We can work with you to provide the images you need.
Over 4,000 photographs are viewable online in the following galleries: Cowichan Region – Duncan Totem Poles – Gulf Islands Aerials – Vancouver Island Aerials This isn’t just a site about beautiful photography however. Cowichan Valley Photos is as excited about this area as you are and we want to make information available to you, whether you are a local or tourist. Come enjoy the Cowichan – The Warm Land. As spring approaches and the days get longer we generally have rain and very little snow. This year has been pretty much snow free, unlike last year where we seemed to have an endless supply of the white stuff. We have had lots of rain in the past few months however with bad flooding in November and lots of rain and wind this past week. It does make for nice photographs!  Cowichan Valley Rainbow, Vancouver Island, British Columbia
 Cowichan River Estuary, Vancouver Island, BC 2009 turned out to be a busy year for us at Cowichan Valley Photos. I was very fortunate to photograph many different events and festivals, much of the natural beauty of the area and it seems almost anything else that happened locally. The highlight of 2009 was the release of the new book The Cowichan – Duncan, Chemainus, Ladysmith and Region in late October and the book signings and interviews that go along with these projects. A hard year to top but a good challenge is needed! 2010 looks to be filled with adventure as well with a good deal of travel as well as a few new projects coming up. On a local note, I’ll be photographing in the Cowichan Valley and region regularly, likely filling in holes in my stock work as opposed to photographing a particular event for the 3rd or 4th time. The highlights for me are the Islands Folk Festival and being a little of an amusement park nut the return of the Cowichan Exhibition after a one year hiatus. I’m sure many other “gigs” will surface as the year goes on, perhaps more sports to challenge the creative eye! The Cowichan Valley and region continues to excite me with the rich culture and incredible scenery that we live with. Cowichan Valley Photography Workshops: After numerous requests I am planning a series of photography workshops for the late spring and summer. These workshops will take place in the Cowichan and will cover basic DSLR use for beginners as well as advanced courses with subjects such as macro work or low light photography. Stay tuned for additional information about dates and locations. If you are interested in being added to a list with news of the latest updates please fill in the form here. Don’t hesitate to ask about a particular photography subject that might interest you. A window view from Whippletree Junction.  Happy Holidays from Cowichan Valley Photos  The Cowichan River in Fall, Vancouver Island, British Columbia The Cowichan River is one of the more interesting rivers in southern British Columbia, both from a historical standpoint as well as a recreational view. With its source in the mountains above Cowichan Lake, the river wanders through steep canyons and open valleys, finally arriving in Cowichan Bay after a 47km run. The mood of the river varies with the seasons and rains as was evident a couple weeks ago when we had some massive flooding in the area and the river was roaring. The other extreme is peak summer when a favourite pastime on the Cowichan River is tubing, the sport of lazily floating down this mighty river in an inner tube likely with a few beers in hand. From the historical perspective, the Cowichan River has been a food source for the local native culture for thousands of years and is well known worldwide for the excellent fishing. Fortunately for us, much of the river is protected and we are able to enjoy countless trails through the lovely forests and stunning wetlands. This is a post about photographs so I’ll leave a larger write-up until later. I’m even thinking of a future book project so there will ne lots more to write about. Enjoy the Cowichan River from the photography perspective.  Aerial photograph of Lake Cowichan and the beginning of the Cowichan River, British Columbia  A lush rainforest on the shores of the Cowichan River. Vancouver Island, British Columbia  The Cowichan River Valley as the river makes its' way to the ocean, Cowichan Valley, British Columbia  Taming the Cowichan River by kayak, Cowichan Valley, British Columbia  Fishing on the Cowichan River, a recreational pursuit for decades. Vancouver Island, British Columbia  The fine art of Tubing on the Cowichan River, Vancouver Island, British Columbia  Aerial photograph of the Cowichan River estuary, Vancouver Island, British Columbia  The peaceful estuary where the Cowichan River meets the ocean. Vancouver Island, British Columbia We received our first snow in the Cowichan Valley last night and while it isn’t as deep as last years’ once in a hundred years snowfall it still makes for pretty scenery. I’ll likely head out a little later with my camera and walk around the neighbourhood as I don’t like driving in the white stuff! The forecast is for warm weather and rain, better hurry up!  Cowichan Valley's first snowfall - the view from the kitchen We are trying something new at Cowichan Valley Photos; providing you with photo jigsaw puzzles to well, perhaps distract you from more important computer work? These puzzles really are fun. They will range in difficulty from reasonable easy to very difficult depending on the photograph chosen and the number and shape of the pieces. If you have any request for a puzzle from our photo archive feel free to contact us and we will do our best to accommodate you. We produce these puzzles ourselves, they are safe to download! More will be added in the future. We will start with two photo jigsaw puzzles today.
 Tupari Tewhata (Maori), Kaikohe, New Zealand. Tane Hiira Pou Karanga – Te Awhio Whio – The Welcoming Spirit Of Sound Above Tane Hiira, The King Of The Cedar Forest was carved by Tupari TeWhata (Maori) of Kaikohe, New Zealand in 1986. Tupari TeWhata is a carver in Kaikohe, New Zealand, a sister city of Duncan. Tupari came over to Duncan in 1986 to carve a Maori pole and headed back to New Zealand with a Northwest Coast pole. This Maori pole is located next to the Nha Trang Maki Sushi Restaurant at 62 Kenneth St., Duncan, British Columbia. The plaque reads – In Appreciation To: Islands 86 Carvers Exchange Program, The Borough Council of Kaikoe, New Zealand Additional photos of Tupari TeWhata’s pole can be viewed at the Welcoming Spirit Of Sound Above Tane Hiira gallery.
 Tane Hiira Pou Karanga - Te Awhio Whio - The Welcoming Spirit Of Sound Above Tane Hiira, The King Of The Cedar Forest  Tsonoqua, Mythological Wild Women Of The Woods (Thunderbird Above Tsonoqua) - Carver: Ned Matilpi 1990 Tsonoqua, Mythological Wild Women Of The Woods (Thunderbird Above Tsonoqua) was carved by Ned Matilpi in 1990. Ned Matilpi is of the Ma’amtagila band and the Kwakwaka’wakw and Tlingit nations. Ned was born in 1957 in Alert Bay into the Maamtagila band on northern Vancouver Island. He began is art training in Victoria under his father, the late Oscar Matilpi Sr. Presently Ned Matilpi lives in Alert Bay on the northern tip of Vancouver Island. This Totem presently stands in Station Street Park at 79 StationStreet, Duncan, British Columbia. Additional photographs of Tsonoqua, Mythological Wild Women Of The Woods (Thunderbird Above Tsonoqua) can be viewed at the Wild Women Of The Woods gallery.  Tsonoqua, Mythological Wild Women Of The Woods (Thunderbird Above Tsonoqua) - Carver: Ned Matilpi 1990  Tsonoqua, Mythological Wild Women Of The Woods (Thunderbird Above Tsonoqua) - Carver: Ned Matilpi 1990  Raven Holding Totem Pole Above Son Of Indian Chief Above Beaver - Carver: Douglas Lafortune 1989 Raven Holding Totem Pole Above Son Of Indian Chief Above Beaver was carved by Douglas Lafortune in 1989. This totem lies directly south of the Duncan Train Station and is one of the most impressive in the city. Doug LaFortune is one of the best known names in west coast Native art. LaFortune was born in Bellingham, Washington in 1953 and started working as a professional artist in 1973. Douglas Lafortune was taught by the gifted carver Simon Charlie. Additional photographs of Doug Lafortune’s Raven Holding Totem Pole Above Son Of Indian Chief Above Beaver are in the Raven Holding Totem Pole Gallery. Doug Lafortune has 3 other totems located in Duncan, British Columbia. Eagle With Wind Spirit Insert Above Bear Holding Halibut 1986, Eagle above Killer Whale with Spirit Helpers 1987 and Bear Holding Cub 1986.
 Raven Holding Totem Pole Above Son Of Indian Chief Above Beaver - Carver: Douglas Lafortune 1989  Raven Holding Totem Pole Above Son Of Indian Chief Above Beaver - Carver: Douglas Lafortune 1989. If you enjoy Christmas lights and trains head out to the BC Forest Discovery Centre in Duncan for their Christmas Express. You will have an opportunity to ride through the forest and among their many historic buildings in one of their old steam trains, ”Sampson” built in 1910. Take a look at the stats, impressive: Cowichan Valley Railway Locomotive No. 25 “Sampson”Technical Data:
Live Christmas music, a chance to have your photograph taken with Santa and hot chocolate and snacks. That’s enough to keep the kids entertained as well as many of us grown up kids. I’m planning on heading down to the Forest Discovery Centre this weekend so promise lots of photos in about a week. In the meantime, here’s a photo of one of the old steam trains in the snow. Christmas Express Hours: December 4 – 13 Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays – 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm December 18 – 23 Friday-Wednesday – 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm  Steam Locomotive at the BC Forest Discovery Centre, Duncan, British Columbia  |
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