Category Archives: wildflowers

A show and tell

I take pictures to better understand things seen. I post discussions to website and blog as a personal memory aid. That my notes are available publicly is incidental. Yet, the public is not incidental when one gives an illustrated talk; … Continue reading

Posted in birds, bugs, mammals, weather, wildflowers | 9 Comments

Alpine mops

The Western Anemone has gone to seed. Indeed, this plant of the alpine meadow is usually seen after it has gone to seed for there are fewer hikers in the early spring when the flower blooms. The plant has many … Continue reading

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Indian pipe

I was looking for bumble bees, and found them visiting—to my amazement—indian pipe. I had visited this spot close to the water’s edge along the North Shore many, many times over the years and had never seen indian pipe there … Continue reading

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Purple yarrow

Yarrow is a white wildflower—well, it is usually white, but not always. Yarrow blooms in the summer across BC. Flowers are grouped in flat-topped clusters. Individual flowers are very small, with white petals and a yellowish center. Actually, what looks … Continue reading

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Rhododendron Sunday

In late May or early June, many locals slip out onto the West Arm by kayak or boat and ply their way to the rhododendron grove. A Sunday’s stroll through these flower–covered trees is about as refreshing as it gets. … Continue reading

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Pollinia

Until yesterday, pollinia were vaguely remembered structures encountered only in obscure books. Then I saw some. One often sees a solitary bee covered in pollen (first picture). Also, one often sees a female bumble bee carrying a pollen ball on … Continue reading

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More spring

Bugs and birds abound now that we have had a day or three of sunshine. Here is a collection of a few of them from yesterday and today. Lincoln’s Sparrow is frequent around the Lake in the spring and summer, … Continue reading

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Spring has arrived?

It is nearly half–past May and we are all looking for some evidence that there will be a spring this year. Today was sunny and warm, so I headed out to see how nature might have responded. Some of the … Continue reading

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Guttation returns

You know the grass has started to grow when it displays guttation. Guttation is not dew. Dew results from the condensation of water vapour from the atmosphere and it forms small drops over the whole surface of a grass blade. … Continue reading

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No (April) fooling

A foray on April 1st, revealed flowers: crocuses, of course. Although the plant is from Europe, it has gone native. It is found in the wild here but it is not considered to be invasive. The pollen–laden anthers did seem to … Continue reading

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