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@island-nature
The vast salt marsh of the Chemainus River estuary is home to a number of fascinating plants that are well adapted to the challenging environment of a tidal wetland. American glasswort, salt marsh dodder, common orache, Oregon gumweed, and seaside arrow-grass are featured.
Chemainus River Estuary: Mudflats and Salt Marsh
Just outside of Chemainus, a farm access road follows fields and sloughs out to the wide mudflats and salt marshes of the Chemainus River estuary. It is an easy, relaxing, 4.5 km long walk with many opportunities to make more adventurous choices and explore. Moreover, the end of trail offers great views of Willy Island and the Shoal Islands, the Chemainus River, and expansive salt marshes. A…
Botany, historical buildings, and graffiti are highlights on the Bevan Trail near the Comox Lake Dam. The 4 km loop through 120 year old second growth forest on Vancouver Island, British Columbia is worth checking out!
Latest Island Nature blog post features a 30 minute nature walk around Chemainus Lake near Chemainus, BC. It's a beautiful mixed forest trail around a quiet lake, well worth visiting!
Spring Wildflowers in Paradise Meadows
As the snow quickly melts in the subalpine, it’s a great time to dust off the hiking boots and look for spring wildflowers in Paradise Meadows. The Paradise Meadows trailhead gives easy access to subalpine meadows and a variety of hiking loops in Strathcona Provincial Park. Paradise Meadows in Strathcona Provincial Park (mid-June, 2025) For those looking for something easy, a short walk around…
A Muddy Trail to Mystic Beach
Located on the rugged, west coastline of Vancouver Island, Mystic Beach is a day-trip destination that rewards the effort. Known for its dramatic sea cliffs, cobblestone beach, and a waterfall that spills directly onto the beach, this spot is a favourite among hikers and photographers. But getting there? That’s a different story. Mud, Roots, and More Mud The trail to Mystic Beach begins at Juan…
Northwest Hesperian: A Forest Floor Discovery
While walking along the South Beach Trail in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, I paused to examine a small snail gliding across a decaying leaf. Its finely-hairy shell, ridged and glistening with moisture, caught my eye. I suspected I had found a Northwest Hesperian (Vespericola columbianus)—a terrestrial snail native to the Pacific Northwest. A Northwest Hesperian (Vespericola columbianus)…
Garry Oaks and Wildflowers: The Natural History of Notch Hill
Rising above Nanoose Bay, Notch Hill offers one of the most ecologically rich and visually rewarding short hikes in the region. Located near Nanoose on Vancouver Island, this modest summit rewards the curious with sweeping views, golden grasslands, and a glimpse into a unique and endangered ecosystem—the Garry oak meadow. This is a destination that I’ve visited before and will likely visit again.…
Mount Erskine: A Foggy Hike on Salt Spring Island
If you are looking for an outdoor adventure on Salt Spring Island, consider mystical Mount Erskine. In addition to offering a fabulous hike through a coastal Douglas-fir forest, the trails in Mount Erskine Provincial Park pass through a landscape filled with quaint faerie doors. On an early spring day, when Salt Spring Island is socked in with fog and rain, the park is a true Brigadoon…
Exploring Lower Banon Creek Falls near Chemainus, BC
Tucked away in the forested hills near Chemainus, Lower Banon Creek Falls is a quiet and rewarding destination for those willing to go a bit off the beaten path. Often overshadowed by its upper counterpart, the less dramatic Lower Banon Creek waterfall offers a striking cascade over layered mudstone. The waterfall is framed by mixed forest and features an array of wildflowers. With easy access,…
A Tale of Two Water Lilies at Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park
Just a short drive from downtown Victoria, British Columbia, Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park is a peaceful green space for hikers, joggers, paddlers, and bird watchers. Located in Saanich, a 10km multi-use trail loops around the connected lakes of the CRD park. The trail offers a gentle (but long) walk through mixed forests and wetland ecosystems. Make sure to bring plenty of water and…
Forest Wildflowers Along the Puntledge River
In early spring, the bloom of forest wildflowers is spectacular along the trails of the Puntledge River Recreation Area. Beginning at the outlet of the Comox Lake Reservoir, this second growth forest offers a sometimes confusing network of riverside paths, towering conifers, and a vibrant understory of spring forest wildflowers. In May, the show starts with dull Oregon-grape (Berberis nervosa),…
Blister Glassy-Bubble Snail Bonanza!
Lastest blog post featuring the blister glassy-bubble snail (Haminoea vesicula) and yellow egg masses, both of which were numerous in the eelgrass beds at Kye Bay, Comox, British Columbia.
The blister glassy-bubble snail (Haminoea vesicula) is common in the sheltered eelgrass beds on the east side of Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Typically known as a “bubble snail,” this species of sea snail also goes by the name blister paper bubble, white paper bubble, and the white bubble shell. This unique marine creature belongs to the family Haminoeidae and is identifiable by its…
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Witty's Lagoon and Sitting Lady Falls
Witty's Lagoon and Sitting Lady Falls are excellent walking destinations near Victoria on Vancouver Island British Columbia. This regional park is an excellent place for birdwatching and botanizing. Make sure to visit at different times of the year!
Witty’s Lagoon Regional Park is located in Metchosin, on the southern coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The regional park is well-known for its diverse and rich ecosystem, walking trails, and excellent birdwatching. At over 58 hectares, the area is home to a large number of plant and bird species. In addition to nature viewing, one of the notable attractions of Witty’s Lagoon is the…
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Spotted Asparagus Beetle
Get ready for spring gardening and start thinking about the spotted asparagus beetle (Crioceris duodecimpunctata)! Several of these introduced beetles showed up on my asparagus plants last summer in my garden on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.
Asparagus beetles are insects that belong to the family Chrysomelidae. Like the name suggests, these beetles can cause damage to asparagus plants. The two most common species of asparagus beetles are the common asparagus beetle (Crioceris asparagi) and the spotted asparagus beetle (Crioceris duodecimpunctata). Both species are native to Europe but have now spread to other parts of the world,…
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Niagara Falls in Goldstream Provincial Park
An early winter stop at Niagara Falls in Goldstream Provincial Park on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. This waterfall is easily accessible when travelling south to Victoria. Look for the parking area at the base of the Malahat. Well worth the stop!
The winter months are a perfect time to stop in for a quick walk to Niagara Falls in Goldstream Provincial Park. During the summer, water flow is low and the Niagara Creek slows to a trickle. When the rain arrives in November and December, the falls return to their dramatic flow. This Vancouver Island, British Columbia waterfall is definitely worth a visit! Niagara Falls in Goldstream Provincial…
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Nanaimo's Ammonite Falls
A return to Ammonite Falls in Nanaimo's Benson Creek Falls Regional Park. The new staircase makes accessing the base of the waterfall much easier and the trail has been improved compared to ten years ago.
When I first visited Ammonite Falls ten years ago things were different. At the time, the waterfall was “off the beaten track.” There was no established parking area, which meant that hikers left their cars on the shoulder of the road. Locals put up signs to prevent people from blocking access to their driveways. It was tricky to find the access point. And you had to use a rope to climb down a…
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