All Entries in the "Natural History" Category
Chocolate Lily (Fritillaria affinis) in the Cowichan
The Chocolate Lily (Fritillaria affinis) is native to Cowichan’s Garry oak meadows although even then they are not common. Loss of habitat is as usual the prime reason for their slow demise. The largest concentration that I have found is at St. Peter’s Anglican parish in Duncan where numerous chocolate lilies grow along with a spectacular field [...]
Mt. Tzouhalem Ecological Reserve wildflower update
The wildflowers at the Mt. Tzouhalem Ecological Reserve have certainly peaked at this time. While a few species have pretty much gone; shooting stars and fawn lilies, many of the others are at or near their prime. The balsamroot flowers are beautiful at this stage although may only be that way for a few days if [...]
Western White Trillium (Trillium ovatum)
Trillium Ovatum is also known as Western White Trillium and Western Wake Robin. This flower is the member of family Trilliacea and is found growing in rich and dense forests like those of Western Canada and the Unitred States. Locally it is found growing in northern ranges of Oregon, Eastern Montana, Washington, the southwestern parts [...]
Camas Lilies (Camassia quamash)
The Camas is an exotic species of plants and is part of the lily family. These are beautiful purple colored flowers which can be found flourishing in their primary Garry oak meadow ecosystem of Vancouver Island in the in the late spring. Apart from their primary habitat these stunning flowers can also be located in different ecosystems in [...]
Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis)
The salmonberry is one of the first wildflowers to come into bloom in the Cowichan Valley and throughout Vancouver Island. The plant is native to the west coast of North America from west central Alaska to California. They are commonly found in moist areas and along rivers and streams. Salmonberries berries are edible and were [...]
White Fawn Lily – Erythronium oregonum
The White Fawn Lily (Erythronium oregonum) is one of the most striking wildflowers of early spring in the Cowichan Valley. These flowers are also known as the Easter lily and Trout lily. While large quantities carpet the ground in many areas development has diminished the numbers greatly in the past few decades. As well, the [...]
Cowichan Wildflowers Update
For those of you that have been following this blog for the past year you may have noticed that I put it upon myself to try and photograph a good portion of the wildflowers that grow in the Cowichan Valley and region. To visit my previous blog post go to Wildflowers of the Cowichan Valley. [...]
The Cowichan River in Photos
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 [...]
The Cowichan rain momentarily stopped
We have had an amazing amount of rain the past few weeks and the area even made cross country news as a good portion of Duncan was flooded by the Cowichan River earlier this week. I took advantage of a nice day yesterday to visit the Cowichan River Provincial Park and view the swollen river. [...]
Mushroom season in the Cowichan
Mushroom season in the Cowichan Valley hits its peak in November as far as photography is concerned. We will likely have mushrooms until late spring but the variety of beautiful fungi seems to peak in late fall. I have been fortunate enough to get out a few times, partly to pick edible mushrooms but also [...]
