Tag Archives: Pacific Northwest

Blog, Just Because, Wanderings

Eyes to the ground: payoff!

November is a windy and grey month on the Gulf Islands of BC. The wind topples trees and causes power outages. This is sort of expected, and means that we rely on generators and fireplaces or wood stoves to stay warm, keep the fridge going, and have a light or two to read. And a purring cat never hurts.

All that rain produces all sorts of blossomings in the mosses on the forest floor.

The moss, which had gone “brittle” over the dry summer months, has now regained its emerald green lush and springy thickness.  And some version of it are blooming.
Blooming Mosses, November

Then, mushrooms are also making an appearance. On my morning walk, a couple of days ago, here is what I found next to the path…

November Mushroom

I have to admit that I don’t know the name of the cup-shape mushroom (although it could possibly be the brown-clustered ear cup…), nor of the little one that is poking up in the mosses, in the lower left corner of this photo. Obviously, I will have to start carrying the mushroom identification book, and highlight the ones I recognize.

Blog, Inspiration, Photo Wednesday, Wanderings

Autumn Beach Composition – Photo Wednesday

Textile artist Pat Pauly visited Saturna during the Thanksgiving long weekend. We wandered all over the island, and I rediscovered one of my favourite “beaches”, with plenty of pebbles and logs that escaped the log rafts pulled by the tug boats around these islands. Floating forests… but that will be the subject of another post.

Pebbles
These pebbles were arranged by the waves, pushing and rolling them into a crevice in the rock. Neat, isn’t it?

And then, there were the abstract lines left by beetles , in this log.

Beetle Lines

While the tree was alive, the beetles bored these lines under the bark… discreetly. Now that the bark has been stripped, we get to see their graffiti. With a pebble on top.

Blog, Wanderings

Noisy Neighbours: A Visit

A few days ago, we went on an excursion to the Belle Chain Islets, near Saturna Island, BC. Toby Snelgrove of Mayne Island Tours took us sightseeing. What a great morning on the water!

October Excursion

And what a show! Hundreds and hundreds of birds, on the water and on the rocks.

But the main act was the sea lions. After their customary summer trip up North, where they have a big party, they’re back, on the rocks next to our island.

Steller Sea Lion bull, Belle Chain Islets, BC
Steller sea lions are massive creatures. Noisy, smelly, massive. The males can weigh 450–1,120 kg (990–2,470 lbs)… Big as a cow, and very ornery.

October Excursion2
Two bulls (above)  bear the bite wounds of a recent fight for territory.

Steller Sea Lion2

These junior guys look like they are watching the big boys, learning the moves.

October Excursion3

And right next to the big boys bellowing and fighting, or basking, depending on their mood… groups of cormorants were also taking in the sun, perched on the rocks. Looks to me like they are waiting for the ferry.
October Excursion4

And the tour would not have been complete without the obligatory eagle shot.

A big thank you to Toby Snelgrove, of Mayne Island Tours.

Blog, Photo Wednesday, Wanderings

May Commute

When you live on a small island, you have to commute every week or two, to run errands, keep appointments and generally “get off the rock” (a local expression). For me, it often means getting on a ferry very early in the morning, then transferring to a second ferry, to get to “town” (another local expression for Victoria, on Vancouver Island).

Saturna Island, from the back of the ferry...

Above: Saturna Island, from the back of the ferry. On my way to town…

When you start doing this almost every week, you settle into a routine, and it becomes very easy to be blasé about that commute. Once the ferry departs, it’s tempting to just snooze, read a book or the paper you have just purchased on the ferry… To kill time.

Even while reading the paper or a book, it’s a good idea to remember to look up and take in the magic moments, all around, during that commute…

May Commute, in the Gulf Islands. The Cumberland Queen, BC Ferries

Above: in the late afternoon, after transferring to the second ferry, I get to watch the Cumberland Queen, first leg of my trip home, from which I have just disembarked, go off to its next round of destinations, to pick up people and vehicles on other islands… BC Ferries, the “floating highway” that links the Gulf Islands to the Lower Mainland of BC and to Vancouver Island.

May Commute aboard a Gulf Islands ferry... orca sighting!

Bonus! Another magic moment, an orca sighting from the ferry deck…

Blog, Photo Wednesday, Wanderings

East Point on Saturna – Photo Wednesday

This afternoon, I went to East Point for a walk.  Beautiful day, lovely surprises. First, the view, from the cliffside…
View from the cliffside of East Point, Saturna Island, BC, CanadaThen, a close up of gorse (Ulex europeanus), an invasive species brought over a long time ago, and making its way around the islands. Spiny, nasty plant with gorgeous bloom… There has to be a good side to everything, right?
East Point on Saturna Island, Gorse (Ulex europeanus), invasive speciesAnd finally, a jewel on the cliff… Indian paintbrush (Castillejia), native wildflower blooming in the sun on a cliff… It cheered me up no end.
Indian paintbrush, castillejia, wildflower, BC coast