Well, it started out innocently enough. I took photos of every flowering plant that I saw while I waited for Mickey to sniff everything he found sniffworthy. Aware that many of these plants were weeds and likely invasive species, I struggled briefly with my conscience but then was drawn in by the colour and the … Continue reading Cornflower
The federal government proposed to make cuts to Fisheries and Oceans Canada programs, impacting the amazing work our local stewards have done over decades here, restoring habitat, and exposing our littles to the amazing natural world around them. Perhaps in Ottawa, poring over spreadsheets, they didn't realize the impacts of these decisions. Stewardship Pemberton and … Continue reading The power of speaking up: breaking news from Stewardship Pemberton – funding for Salmonid Enhancement has been restored!
I’ve been tidying up lately-getting rid of seldom used items and generally removing trash from as many places as I might find it. On daily walks, I carry a bag with me to collect whatever I can carry. I’m saddened by the garbage and the more I dwell on the disregard for the landscape, the … Continue reading What Will You Let Sink?
On the way to the Tsawwassen Ferry, as I inspect the trees at the base of the hill, I feel transported to a world where pterodactyls still fly in the skies: a colony of great blue herons live there. It’s hard to look at a heron without thinking of ancient times: their gangly legs, their … Continue reading A Siege of Herons: Connie Sobchak ponders the similarities between a heronry and a shopping mall
On Friday, March 10, at 10:30am, a new black box appeared in the entry to the Pemberton Valley Supermarket. It had a boomerang stenciled on the front, and more than 400 reusable cloth grocery bags dropped inside until it was almost overflowing. A minute later, a woman was grabbing a small bag of groceries at … Continue reading Boomerang Bags launch in Pemberton. Because ocean.
I recently revisited this photo, taken by Johnny Jones. I'd spent two days reading the Information note from the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, about the updated potential for a big rockfall from Mt Currie. Johnny posted, "For 11 Thousand + years the Lil'wat Nation lived here in the Lil'wat7ul Valley and … Continue reading In its earliest name, Mt Currie means “slides on the mountain”
Meet the Northern Saw-whet Owl who has recently taken up residence in a chicken coop at mid valley. John Tschopp reports that "The hens don't seem to mind its presence." And none seem too camera-shy, either. Happily for us.
When Mom and Dad moved to Pemberton in the early fifties, moose were plentiful and somewhat of a nuisance to farmers, apparently, as they tore through fences and were attracted to domestic cows during the rut. There were many stories of encounters with moose on winter roads wherein drivers had to wait out the moose … Continue reading Moose Watch with Connie Sobchak
Small birds don’t always get the recognition that larger birds do. Often unnoticed, they flit about in the undergrowth, scavenge under leaves and creep up the sides of trees. They tend to be dull in colour and furtive, yet sometimes they are outrageously brilliant to the point where you exclaim, “I had no idea we … Continue reading Little Birds
The Wellness Almanac 