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Drawing on the Salish Sea: A Zoom course in support of the Mitlenatch Island Stewardship Team (MIST)Have you wished that you could keep a nature journal or paint the life around you? During three Zoom sessions you can explore how to quickly capture wildflowers, inter-tidal life and birds You’ll learn how to draw quickly and accurately, starting with simple shapes, then using some refining techniques, which will help you draw with less frustration!You’ll look at materials: papers, pens, and coloured mediums like pencil crayons. Then you’ll jump into watercolours with a simple palette and mixes as well as quick watercolour techniques you can use in the field or at home. All the lessons will be accompanied with downloadable notes.You will finish the course ready to start your own Nature Journal.Zoom recordings will allow you watch the sessions at your convenience during the course and for a month after we wrap up. About Mitlenatch Island:Mitlenatch Island is a small rocky island that sits between Campbell River and Powell River, in the Salish Sea. Cast in the rain shadow of Vancouver Island, its flanks are clad in golden grasses and its meadows host an explosion of spring wildflowers. Anchored where tides rush in from the north and south, rich waters encircling the island teem with fish; intertidal life flourishes and thousands of seabirds nest on cliffs, in rocks, and on open ground. It’s shores provide refuge for mother seals with their pups, and haul out for sea lions in the winter. In recent years Humpbacks have returned to nearby waters, to feed on krill and schooling fish. With so much life, much of it on exposed nesting areas, the island has a special vulnerability. The Mist volunteer wardens are in place for the summer months to welcome people to the island (which is accessible by boat only) and to relate to visitors the natural and human history of the island. For 25 years Alison Watt has spent a week on the island in the summer, as a volunteer warden. Her journals are full of Mitlenatch sketches. She finds it a delight and a privilege to return each year to this jewel of the Salish Sea. MIST is a special organisation which works closely with BC Provincial Parks to ensure that Mitlenatch Island remains a haven for the plants and animals of the Salish Sea.Sign up and donate through www.alisonwatt.ca/drawing-on-the-salish-seaFor more information on Mitlenatch Island visit www.mitlenatch.ca/mitlenatch-island
Comox Valley Nature invites its members and the public to CVN’s October general meeting, where you can hear the following keynote presentation by our guest speaker: Birdbrains – Smarter than you think- with Sandra Milligan Once dismissed as “birdbrains,” birds are now recognized for their remarkable intelligence. Sandra explores the evolution of our understanding of avian neuroanatomy, focusing on local species. Through engaging stories and videos, Sandra explores how birds solve problems, use tools, express empathy, and communicate with rich vocabulary – inviting you to see these creatures with newfound respect and wonder.Sandra Milligan has been teaching university level biology at North Island College for over twenty years. With graduate degrees in neuroscience, she’s now a generalist, naturalist, and lifelong learner. In Campbell River, she’s a recognized environmental advocate and public educator. Her passion for birding has evolved into a deep interest in avian behaviour and intelligence. Drawing on her neuroanatomy background, Sandra has followed the growing research on bird cognition, confirming what many intuitively felt – birds display an extraordinary range of intelligent behaviours. Sunday, October 25, 2026 at 3 pm in the main hall of Comox United Church, 250 Beach Drive, Comox. Members of the public welcome.This will be an in-person only meeting. We will not record the presentation on this occasion [this is a correction to previous information].As always, there will be a break after the presentation with a chance to meet new people and socialize with old friends. Tea, coffee and treats will be available (by donation).A brief meeting follows. Reports from some of our interest groups and projects are an opportunity for guests to learn more about what we do.
It's that time of year! A couple of off leash dogs have been seen romping at the confluence of Morrison Creek and the Puntledge River. Dogs get quite excited to see those big chum. The chum do spawn right at the mouth of the creek, salmon eggs are very sensitive to disturbance so paws, or feet, in the creek kill eggs. Keep your dog on a leash, especially if you do not want a smelly dog! Dogs like to roll in dead fish. Salmon spook, be a quiet calm wildlife paparazzi.
Fish Walk!!! ( Well, not really...but don't miss this chance to follow their journey!)Join the Morrison Creek Streamkeepers for a walk along Morrison Creek, starting at its confluence with the Puntledge River in Puntledge Park, to watch salmon spawning after their remarkable journey back from the ocean. Register here: form.jotform.com/262924316992264
Thanks to community support, a property in Deep Bay is now protected, safeguarding its mature forests, salmon streams and diverse shoreline.Now, we’re helping restore this land so it can regenerate into a healthy forest.Join the Comox Valley land Trust and WolfTree for a hands-on day to rehabilitate the former homestead by planting trees and shrubsIf you'd like to volunteer your time, the work party is Sunday, October 25th, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.Meet at Rosewall creek Provincial Park parking lot at 9:50 to carpool to the deep bay restoration site.See this link or link in bio to register and for more information: www.jotform.com/form/262826298698277
Category Archives: Plants and fungi
Strathcona Park lichen project – update
From an email by Jocie to the Botany Group on September 2. Here’s an update from Randal M. on the Strathcona Park lichen project. I highly recommend checking out the link…a whole gallery of beautiful, diverse lichens! Randal’s notes The summer … Continue reading
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More mountain madness!
From an email by Jocie to the Botany Group on August 29. Summer is drawing to a close, which means it is time to fit in a few more mountain hikes! Here are a few photos [click to enlarge] from … Continue reading
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Exploring textures of plants and fungi
From an email by Jocie to the Botany Group on August 26. Here are a few photos from John B. (with notes) which demonstrate the amazing diversity of plant and fungi species that are all around us. John’s notes I … Continue reading
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More plants from Strathcona Park
From an email by Jocie to the Botany Group on August 22. Alison M. passed along some lovely photos of plants from Strathcona Park (click photo to enlarge). Alison’s notes Here are a few photos of subalpine slopes and meadows….from … Continue reading
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Plants from the Elk River and Landslide and Berg Lakes
From an email by Jocie to the Botany Group on August 19. Another mountain hike (and looking at plants of course) in Strathcona Park….here are a few pics from a recent backpack trip I did with my kids up the … Continue reading
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Mountain plants/flowers
From an email by Jocie to the Botany Group on August 17. Continuing on the mountain theme…here are some photos from John B., who like many of us wishes he had “more time and and spare legs.” These are all … Continue reading
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Lichen project for Strathcona Park
Another belated post from earlier Botany Group communications – Jocie’s email to the group on July 1. Below is a message from Randal about a lichen project for iNatuarlist happening this summer. I hope this will inspire all of you … Continue reading
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Plants from Kings Peak
From an email by Jocie to the Botany group on August 16. It’s mid-August, and a great time for mountain hikes and botanizing! It’s also a great time to relax in the garden with a tall glass of lemonade. If you are … Continue reading
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Unusual view of twinflower, etc.
From an email by Jocie to the Botany Group on July 7. Here are a few more of John B’s photos (click to enlarge): 1. An usual view of a twinflower (Linnaea borealis). 2. Clusters of purple flowers in the … Continue reading
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Rare white-lip rein orchid and more
From an email by Jocie to the Botany Group on August 6. Here are a few interesting flower photos and notes from John B. As a side note, there is some marsh cinquefoil at Cumberland Marsh, and I’ve also seen … Continue reading
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