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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
Paradise Meadows update (July 1)
Catching up with communications in the Botany Group during July. This is from an email from Jocie to the group on July 1. Here are some updates from Alison M. on what is in bloom at Paradise Meadows [on July … Continue reading
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Elegant rein orchid at Woodhus Slough
Catching up with communications in the Botany Group during July. This is from an email from Jocie to the group on July 4. John B. discovered a nice patch of elegant rein orchid (Piperia elegans) at Woodhus Slough, and sent along … Continue reading
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Yellow beauties in bloom!
Catching up with communications in the Botany Group during July. This is from an email from Jocie to the group on July 2. Here’s a message from John B. about some yellow flowers he found on Quadra Island:“Three yellow beauties … Continue reading
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A June visit to the Puntledge Bog
From an email by Jocie to members of the Botany Group on June 27. A winding boardwalk, edged with lush salal and huge, shiny skunk cabbage leaves, leads to a small bog, known as the “Puntledge Bog” on the east … Continue reading
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Featured plant: Honeysuckles
From an email by Jocie to members of the Botany Group on June 10. Here is a bit about honeysuckles, in the genus Lonicera, that are found in our area. Keep a lookout for Utah honeysuckle! Alison found it a few years … Continue reading
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Peloric foxglove
From an email by Jocie to the Botany Group on June 9. John B. took this spectacular photo of a “peloric foxglove.” This is a mutation where a bilaterally symmetrical flower (zygomorphic) mutates into a radially symmetrical flower (actinomorphic). It … Continue reading
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Nominees for Tree of the Year 2020
Although there will be only one winner of the Tree of the Year contest, all the nominated trees have interest and value. The CVN Board suggests that members (in household groups only) get out and enjoy these trees as part … Continue reading
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Rare Denman Island fern, and more
Jocie passed along these additional photos and notes from John B. to the Botany Group on June 2. The beautiful coastal woodfern (Dryopteris arguta) is blue-listed and grows on my friend’s cliffs on Denman Island. Hairy honeysuckle (Lonicera hispidula) is showing at … Continue reading
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More estuary blooms!
From an email by Jocie B. to members of the Botany Group on May 30. John B. sent in these great photos of more outstanding estuary blooms. I’m not sure if these are blooming yet so if you want to go … Continue reading
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Paradise Meadows is clear
Jocie passed this message from Alison M. to the Botany Group on May 31. In the past two weeks the warm weather and rain have cleared the boardwalks and paths of the treacherous rotting snow from the loops in Paradise … Continue reading
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