We forget sometimes the everyday power and ordinary wonder of immersing ourselves in the natural world. It’s a possibility, an opportunity, that is nearly always available to us. Authentic experiences of nature don’t require an epic excursion into the wilderness for days on end, into apparently pristine surroundings where all evidence of human incursion has … Continue reading
As the winter season approaches, it may seem like the time for fresh plant life is over. Not so. While we may not be enjoying the same leafy profusion brought by those April showers (though truthfully, here on the West Coast they’re not always so very distinct from the January showers, the July showers, or … Continue reading
The Chocolate Lily (Fritillaria affinis for the botanically-minded) is one of the coolest and yet commonly overlooked spring-flowering plants on the Island. They may not be as showy as Camas or Shooting Stars, but I think their bell-like shape and subtle shading is absolutely gorgeous. Fair warning, they don’t have the nicest scent (think skunk … Continue reading
Getting to Know Douglas-fir A veritable icon of West Coast life, Douglas-fir trees are ubiquitous throughout the coastal region. Beaten only by the Coast Redwoods for the title of World’s Tallest Trees, these ancient giants can grow to over 85 metres (278 feet) tall. That’s more than 25 stories high! The reason for the oddly … Continue reading
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
Heart of the West Coast 