Cowichan Valley Travel, Tourism and Photography Information

Spring in the Cowichan Valley

Kevin — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 20:58:45 +0000

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

2010 and Cowichan Valley Photography Workshops

Kevin — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 18:09:37 +0000

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 [...]

Happy Holidays from Cowichan Valley Photos

Kevin — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 17:54:25 +0000

A window view from Whippletree Junction.

Happy Holidays from Cowichan Valley Photos

The Cowichan River in Photos

Kevin — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:36:06 +0000

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 [...]

First Snow in the Cowichan

Kevin — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:27:08 +0000

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

Cowichan Valley Jigsaw Puzzles

Kevin — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 20:00:05 +0000

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 [...]

The Welcoming Spirit Of Sound Above Tane Hiira, The King Of The Cedar Forest – Tupari TeWhata

Kevin — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 05:43:07 +0000

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 [...]

Tsonoqua, Mythological Wild Women Of The Woods (Thunderbird Above Tsonoqua) – Ned Matilpi 1990

Kevin — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 05:20:13 +0000

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, [...]

Raven Holding Totem Pole Above Son Of Indian Chief Above Beaver – Douglas Lafortune 1989

Kevin — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 04:58:15 +0000

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 [...]

BC Forest Discovery Centre Christmas Express 2009

Kevin — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 02:58:05 +0000

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:

Designation: Class C-6, 0-4-0 ST. Weight: 18 tons. Built: 1910, as c/n 1549. Cylinder dimensions: 10×16 Boiler pressure: originally 140 pounds per square inch – now 150 psi). Hauling capacity on straight level track: 95 tons. Gauge: narrow (36 inches). Fuel: originally coal – now oil.

Live Christmas [...]