Christine Scott

This great blue heron was seen last week by a kayaker in the Campbell River Estuary.

Stalking the regal great blue

ISLAND WILD: Throughout winter it’s possible to see this stunning but skittish creature in its natural habitat

This great blue heron was seen last week by a kayaker in the Campbell River Estuary.
A Ruffed Grouse makes a spectacular visit to a birdfeeder.

Online cams offer spectacular birdwatching

ISLAND WILD: A real-time, livestreaming camera films a well-stocked birdfeeder

A Ruffed Grouse makes a spectacular visit to a birdfeeder.
A polypore fungus, almost totally obliterated by guttation drops.

ISLAND WILD: Mushrooms weep as forests sleep

One of our most memorable fungal finds was discovering Bleeding Hydnellum during a hike in Strathcona Park

A polypore fungus, almost totally obliterated by guttation drops.
A bracelet made with attractive silverberry seeds.

ISLAND WILD: Creating crafts with the fruits of fall

Wildflowers have all but disappeared, the berry harvest is complete, while autumn leaves slowly begin their descent

A bracelet made with attractive silverberry seeds.
Saskatoon berries are like blueberries and just as delicious too.

Running back to saskatoons

Saskatoon berry syrup is like a "splash of fresh fruit at Christmastime," said columnist Christine Scott

Saskatoon berries are like blueberries and just as delicious too.
A juvenile hairy woodpecker.

ISLAND WILD: Hairy or downy; that is the question

Woodpeckers have one thought in mind as they drill and tap and pound our trees: “Where’s the beef?”

A juvenile hairy woodpecker.
The male house finch’s brilliance is reason enough to attract backyard songbirds.

ISLAND WILD: Friendly habitat a songbird magnet

Here are the top five ways to make a yard more bird-friendly

The male house finch’s brilliance is reason enough to attract backyard songbirds.

ISLAND WILD: Black lilly a stunning wildflower

The lily’s bulblets, resembling clusters of white rice, were an important food for Native groups

The Pacific dogwood tree is an early spring bloomer.

ISLAND WILD: Pancake flowers and popcorn seeds

The Latin name for the Pacific dogwood is Cornus nuttallii, named after scientist Thomas Nuttall

The Pacific dogwood tree is an early spring bloomer.
Concentric patterns on spring turkey tails (above) and golden jelly cones (below, right) add some colour to Vanocuver Island’s fascinating spring mushroom season.

ISLAND WILD: Jellies, turkeys rule spring

The Pacific Northwest has a short but fascinating spring mushroom season

Concentric patterns on spring turkey tails (above) and golden jelly cones (below, right) add some colour to Vanocuver Island’s fascinating spring mushroom season.
False Lily-of-the-valley berries turn red in winter.

ISLAND WILD: Fruitful lilly a winter survivor

Many resident birds and mammals depend on this wild fruit for survival

False Lily-of-the-valley berries turn red in winter.
Indian Pipe’s seedpods resemble spooky faces.

ISLAND WILD: Have a green Halloween

Conscientious Earth lovers can choose to celebrate without negative environmental impact

Indian Pipe’s seedpods resemble spooky faces.
Your intrepid nature columnist experiences a close encounter of the loon kind on the Campbell River estuary.

Tranquil Campbell River estuary teems with life

This nature writer cannot recommend a more enchanting activity than a tranquil estuary paddle

Your intrepid nature columnist experiences a close encounter of the loon kind on the Campbell River estuary.
Bumble bee drawing by eight-year-old Melissa Chorney.

Bee friendly to our premier pollinators

Bees could be the bee all and end all when it comes to the food we eat

Bumble bee drawing by eight-year-old Melissa Chorney.
This red-throated Loon in its bright summer plumage, enjoys a dip in  the Campbell River estuary.

ISLAND WILD: Rare sighting a loony surprise

Spotting the red-throated loon is a rare and unique experience

This red-throated Loon in its bright summer plumage, enjoys a dip in  the Campbell River estuary.
Migratory songbird numbers are declining. Pictured: Swainson’s Thrush.

ISLAND WILD: Human inaction harmful to Canada’s bird populations

Canadian bird populations have declined on average by 12 per cent

Migratory songbird numbers are declining. Pictured: Swainson’s Thrush.
Miranda Roeke and Briana Aldea, both 3, fashioned umbrellas out of rhubarb’s gigantic leaves.

ISLAND WILD: Ode to the humble rhubarb

Rhubarb boasts a fascinating history and some legitimate wild relatives

Miranda Roeke and Briana Aldea, both 3, fashioned umbrellas out of rhubarb’s gigantic leaves.
A Vancouver Island black bear munches on tender spring grass in Black Creek.

Vancouver Island’s bears of spring

If you go out in the woods today, be prepared to see springtime bear activity

A Vancouver Island black bear munches on tender spring grass in Black Creek.
Snowy owls find ample prey at Boundary Bay. Large numbers of the birds have been spotted around the Lower Mainland this year.

Hungry snowy owls flock around Vancouver

Only once every 4-5 years, driven by lack of prey in their usual wintering grounds, snowy owls fly south

Snowy owls find ample prey at Boundary Bay. Large numbers of the birds have been spotted around the Lower Mainland this year.
California sea lions arrive for the March herring spawn.

ISLAND WILD: Herring spawn spectacle for big and small

March signals open season on herring for Island sea lions

California sea lions arrive for the March herring spawn.