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

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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

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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

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. Very impressive with trees being ripped from the banks and swept away like twigs.

As usual I took a camera with me and did photograph the river but the lighting wasn’t ideal. I had my macro

Continue reading The Cowichan rain momentarily stopped

Book shows us beautiful Cowichan

Sarah Simpson, The Citizen Published: Wednesday, November 04, 2009

As residents of the Cowichan Valley, our day-to-day lives often leave us with a jaded view of our surroundings. Oh, the ugly highway corridor, ugh, that boxy new development.

But every so often we’re reminded of just why living in the Cowichan is so special and why our gazes deserve sharpening.

The Cowichan, written by Georgina Montgomery, with photographs

Continue reading The Cowichan – Cowichan Valley Citizen Review

Aerial photograph of Mill Bay, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.

Aerial photograph of Bamberton just south of Mill Bay, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.

BC Ferry terminal, Mill Bay, British Columbia.

Vineyards north of Mill Bay, Cowichan Valley, British Columbia.

The vibrant town of Ladysmith is located at the northern end of the Cowichan region just south of Nanaimo. Best known for the Ladysmith Festival of Lights, Ladysmith is located in a stunning setting as these aerial photographs show. Ladysmith Harbour is a beehive of activity with many marinas and of course the logging and fishing industries well represented. The town itself is dotted with beautiful old buildings, many of which have been restored. Ladysmith looks great from the air and is just as charming from land.

Ladysmith Harbour aerial photograph, Vancouver Island aerial photography,

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The Kinsol Trestle is an amazing structure when viewed from the air. Aerial photographs show how large the Kinsol Trestle really is from a very different perspective. For those not familiar with the Kinsol Trestle, the trestle was completed in 1920, its dimensions measuring 38m (125 ft) high and 188m (614 ft) long making it the largest wooden trestle in the Commonwealth of Nations and one of the highest railway trestles in the world.

Aerial view of the Kinsol Trestle showing the Trans Canada Trail on the north side, Cowichan Valley, British Columbia,

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The town of Crofton is dominated by the Catalyst Paper Mill located at the northern end of the town. For those interested in boats this is one of the best areas on the southern Vancouver Island coast to get a close up view of tugs and barges as well as smaller working commercial craft.

Aerial photo of Stuart Channel on the approach to Crofton, Crofton, British Columbia, Canada.

The tug Storm Coaster with chip barges from the Crofton Mill, Crofton, British Columbia, Canada.

Catalyst Paper Mill, Crofton, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.

Aerial photograph

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Chemainus is a charming town located in the Chemainus Valley on Vancouver Island. Saltair is located just north of Chemainus. Best known for its murals, Chemainus is also a popular recreation area with boating, diving, fishing and camping available. The Chemainus Theatre provides a full run of excellent performance and numerous coffee shops and galleries line the streets. Aerial photographs of Chemainus and Saltair show the beautiful location of these towns as well as the “working” atmosphere with the logging and fishing sectors represented.

BC Ferry Kuper approaching Chemainus. Aerial photograph of Chemainus,

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