Mount Tzouhalem from Cowichan Bay, Vancouver Island, British Columbia

Death Camas or Meadow Deathcamas (Zigadenus venenosus), Mt Tzouhalem, Cowichan Valley

When you reach the Cowichan Valley community on Vancouver Island in Canada and you will find yourself enthralled to see the fascinating and mesmerizing mountains basking in the sun. Mount Tzouhalem is one of the most captivating and rapt mountains in the entire Cowichan area. Visitors find themselves awestruck with a single glimpse of this mountain series. At 536 Meters, Mount Tzouhalem is a masterpiece recreated for hikers and nature lovers. Throughout the

Continue reading Mount Tzouhalem

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

Continue reading The Cowichan River in Photos

I had the opportunity to fly with a great fellow to the west coast Vancouver Island town of Bamfield yesterday. It was purely a flight for enjoyment but I also used the journey as an “aerial photography test” to see whether photographing from small airplanes with windows actually works. I know many have been doing this for years but I have always used helicopters and ultralights for photography and we have always taken the doors off the aircraft. Being the beginning of winter up here with temperatures just

Continue reading Flying from Duncan to the West Coast

The BC Forest Discovery Centre began life as a private collection assembled by Gerry Wellburn and his family. Today, the  collections include over 5,000 artifacts, operational steam locomotives, over 12 heritage buildings and an amazing collection of tools used in the logging industry. The centre is located on the Trans Canada highway just north of town, look for the large steam locomotive on the eastern side of the highway.

Many events are

Continue reading BC Forest Discovery Centre – Duncan

With fall fast approaching one of the highlights of this region are the salmon runs that occur in many of our rivers. In Goldstream Provincial Park and in many areas of the Cowichan River the salmon appear about mid-October and may be viewed for about ten weeks. These dates vary from year to year but I have never been disappointed during this peak period. It is the Chum salmon that is most abundant in this river, Coho and Chinook salmon may also be seen as well as the Steelhead and Cutthroat trout.

The best viewing area by far

Continue reading Goldstream River and Cowichan River Salmon Run

September tends to bring fog in the early morning making for interesting photography as the lighting is truly beautiful. Evenings are often clear with gorgeous sunset colours. Before you ask; you can drive almost all the way to the

Continue reading Views from Mt. Prevost – Cowichan Valley

Gordon Bay Provincial Park located on Cowichan Lake is likely one of the most family oriented parks on Vancouver Island in the provincial park system.

The park has a beautiful beach and the water of Cowichan lake is surprisingly warm; the Cowichan Valley has the highest average annual temperature in Canada. Cowichan Lake is known as well for its excellent fishing with rainbow, cutthroat and Dolly Varden trout in abundance. Recreational activities also include hiking, boating, swimming and windsurfing.

Gordon Bay Provincial Park has a spacious camping area with 126 campsites plus an area for

Continue reading Gordon Bay Provincial Park, Cowichan Lake

While Wallace Island Provincial Marine Park is not technically located in the Cowichan Region, most boaters that access the park will be doing so from the harbours located in the Cowichan area. With this in mind, I have brought this article over from my Kevin Oke Photography web site.

A true gem in the British Columbia Provincial Marine Park system, Wallace Island is conveniently located close to many ports in the southern Vancouver Island area. Numerous beaches, coves and inlets provide prime anchorage and kayaking opportunities while hiking trails run the length of the island.

Continue reading Wallace Island Marine Park – British Columbia

The Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island has stunning sunrises, sunsets and clouds. A few photos from this area for you to enjoy. There are many more images on the site, please explore.

Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) at Somenos Marsh, Duncan, British Columbia.

Sunrise at Somenos Lake, Cowichan Valley, British Columbia

Mt. Prevost from Cowichan Bay, Cowichan Valley, British Columbia

Carmanah Valley - Cathedral Spires Poster - 1989

Twenty years ago I had just moved to British Columbia and heard stories about giant trees on the west coast of Vancouver Island. What I didn’t realize at the time is the Provincial Government had seceretly given permission to logging giant Macmillan Bloedel to clearcut one of the largest intact watersheds left on the island, the Carmanah Valley. While learning some of the history about this area I was approached by a small local environmental group, the Western Canada Wilderness Committee, to take part in an

Continue reading Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park