Filed under Day Trips

Spring Means Farms and Farm Babies

Spring Means Farms and Farm Babies

To my mind, one of the best parts of the spring season is going around and visiting local farms, checking out the fields full of new frolicking babies and their mums! This past week I’ve taken the time to get out and lean over a few farm fences, in both North Saanich and Central Saanich, … Continue reading

Encountering the Sandhill Crane

Encountering the Sandhill Crane

As promised, I wanted to do a little feature on the Sandhill Cranes we met on our trip to George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary. My friends – both of whom had been to the sanctuary before, and thus knew what awaited us – didn’t tell me about the cranes. Instead, they left the presence … Continue reading

Hidden Gem: Shoal Harbour Bird Sanctuary

Hidden Gem: Shoal Harbour Bird Sanctuary

Today I want to point you in the direction of a super accessible local park that you may not have heard too much about. Shoal Harbour Bird Sanctuary is right in downtown Sidney, and while definitely an urban park rather than a wilderness one, it boasts some pretty fantastic ocean vistas. My favourite way to … Continue reading

Discover Reifel Bird Sanctuary

Discover Reifel Bird Sanctuary

On our trip to Vancouver last weekend to see the visiting Snowy Owls at Boundary Bay, we also took the opportunity to check out George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary. They are both just a short drive from the ferry terminal, so combining the two made an easy day trip from Vancouver Island. The 300 … Continue reading

Have You Met Elk Falls Yet?

Have You Met Elk Falls Yet?

Confession: I have a deep and abiding fascination with waterfalls. On any road or hiking trip I take, if there’s any chance of working a waterfall into the mix, it’s got to be done. I love the sound of the rushing water, and its powerful plunge over a cliff edge or gentle tumble down a … Continue reading

Encountering the Ancient Trees of Avatar Grove

Encountering the Ancient Trees of Avatar Grove

What better way to inaugurate a blog celebrating the dynamic nature of West Coast life than with an excursion to Avatar Grove, a recently discovered old-growth forest site on southwest Vancouver Island? Discovering Avatar Grove Avatar Grove was discovered by local environmental activists in the winter of 2009. Awed by the beauty and rich history … Continue reading