Ed McMackin

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The western meadowlark, not normally a winter resident, has been seen recently in the valley.

Out There: Summer birds staying in Creston Valley through winter

Some winter are mild enough to make food and water available to normally migratory birds, says outdoors columnist Ed McMackin...

The western meadowlark, not normally a winter resident, has been seen recently in the valley.
Hoo, er, who out there is thinking out of the box?

Out There: Earth’s revolutions bring New Year’s resolutions

I think that resolutions could be more diversified than the mountains among which we live, says outdoors columnist Ed McMackin...

Hoo, er, who out there is thinking out of the box?
(Above) Elk on the run on the Kootenay River flats. (Below) The pileated woodpecker is a non-migratory species, and a common sight in the winter.

Out There: Creston Valley wildlife may spend winter in unusual places

As winter approaches, mammals and birds don’t always end up where they are “supposed” to end up, says columnist Ed McMackin...

(Above) Elk on the run on the Kootenay River flats. (Below) The pileated woodpecker is a non-migratory species, and a common sight in the winter.
Kootenay Landing, the place where Kootenay River meets Kootenay Lake.

Out There: View from the banks of the Kootenay River

A favourite spot on the banks of the Kootenay River is where it surges into Kootenay Lake, says columnist Ed McMackin...

Kootenay Landing, the place where Kootenay River meets Kootenay Lake.
Watching who’s getting on and who’s getting off the train.

Out There: Creston Museum hosting open house at model train

Creston Museum's model railroad open house running Nov. 22, says columnist Ed McMackin...

Watching who’s getting on and who’s getting off the train.
Silver birches drop golden leaves on the Creston Mountain Trail.

Out There: Creston Valley trails offer mid-October surprises

Flowers blooming near Balancing Rock while leaves falling on Creston Mountain Trail, says columnist Ed McMackin...

Silver birches drop golden leaves on the Creston Mountain Trail.
The deep blue and black Steller’s jay — named for German naturalist Georg Wilhelm Steller, the first European to record them in 1741 — at the feeder.

Out There: All you need to know about the Steller’s jay.

They seem to be always looking for something to eat, says columnist Ed McMackin...

The deep blue and black Steller’s jay — named for German naturalist Georg Wilhelm Steller, the first European to record them in 1741 — at the feeder.
Haystack Mountain, with golden larches and one of its seven lakes, will likely still have good hiking for another month.

Out There: Hiking at higher elevations requires extra preparation

When thinking about hiking and camping at higher elevations, go prepared for harsher conditions, says columnist Ed McMackin...

Haystack Mountain, with golden larches and one of its seven lakes, will likely still have good hiking for another month.
Majestic Mount Cooper as seen from the reaches of Meadow Mountain west of Meadow Creek.

Out There: Highlights of summer hiking in the Kootenays

Columnist Ed McMackin writes about summer hikes on Meadow Mountain and Snowcrest Mountain...

Majestic Mount Cooper as seen from the reaches of Meadow Mountain west of Meadow Creek.
One of many surprises seen from high country trails.

Out There: Sharing memories of fellow Creston Valley outdoorsman

Naturalist and columnist Ed McMackin reiterates what he said at memorial service for Ralph Moore...

One of many surprises seen from high country trails.
An adult black cicada is one of many forms of wildlife out there.

Out There: Tips to keep in mind while outdoors in Creston Valley

Insects, weather and hiking/outdoors equipment factors to consider, says columnist Ed McMackin...

An adult black cicada is one of many forms of wildlife out there.
A cicada, the source of unusual sounds you may hear out there.

Out There: Follow the sound to track down cicadas

Only rarely can cicadas be spotted, usually at or near the tip of a low tree branch, says naturalist and columnist Ed McMackin...

A cicada, the source of unusual sounds you may hear out there.
Local hikers Pauline Menu, Marion Lloyd, Holly McMackin and Sheila Herman keep the Lady's Slipper Trail on their list.

Out There: Unique weather can be found on Lady’s Slipper Trail

Lady’s Slipper Trail is one of four of the Creston Valley’s most popular mountain trails and trail systems...

Local hikers Pauline Menu, Marion Lloyd, Holly McMackin and Sheila Herman keep the Lady's Slipper Trail on their list.
A varying hare in its spring coat.

Out There: Spring is time for change in Creston Valley

Spring is a change from dormancy to activity for the plant and animal world, says nature columnist Ed McMackin...

A varying hare in its spring coat.
(Above) Hikers cooling off at Holly Falls on the Creston Mountain Trail. (Below) A glacier lily on the Balancing Rock Trail.

Out There: Getting back to the spring side of Creston Valley hiking

West Creston's Balancing Rock and Creston Mountain trails offer spectacular spring scenery...

(Above) Hikers cooling off at Holly Falls on the Creston Mountain Trail. (Below) A glacier lily on the Balancing Rock Trail.
Creston Mountain’s Holly Falls hidden by ice in early March.

Out There: Winter still evident on Creston Valley hiking trails

Ice and snow still seen on Mount Thompson and Creston Mountain trails, says outdoors columnist Ed MacMackin...

Creston Mountain’s Holly Falls hidden by ice in early March.
Ed McMackin is a biologist by profession but a naturalist and hiker by nature.

Out There: Creston Valley snakes eat frogs — as well as dust

Snakes do purposefully and deliberately bite, eat and taste dust, says outdoors columnist Ed McMackin...

Ed McMackin is a biologist by profession but a naturalist and hiker by nature.
Wildsight friends and members in 2000 perched on Ripple Mountain overlooking natural and manmade habitats.

Out There: Creston branch of Wildsight celebrating 25 years

Wildsight’s Creston branch had its beginnings prior to 1980, says columnist Ed McMackin...

Wildsight friends and members in 2000 perched on Ripple Mountain overlooking natural and manmade habitats.
With river otters, one is always on the lookout.

Out There: Keen eye needed to spot Creston Valley’s icebreakers

River otters are found on the Kootenay River flats adjacent to West Creston, says outdoors columnist Ed McMackin...

With river otters, one is always on the lookout.
A pine grosbeak dining on frozen berries.

Out There: Winter birds abound in the Creston Valley

An unusually large number of pine grosbeaks has been spotted in recent weeks, says nature columnist Ed McMackin...

A pine grosbeak dining on frozen berries.