Yearn to Wander

Brant Lifting at Parksville Beach

Thousands of Black Brant, a small goose, migrate every spring up the Pacific Flyway from Mexico to the Arctic. They stop by the Parksville-Qualicum Beach beaches to regain their energy and feed on the Eelgrass for the final flight to their summer breeding grounds along the Arctic Coast. The annual Brant Festival celebrates their arrival and visit. It also provides public awareness of the Brant's natural phenomenon and importance to the ecosystem and Parksville's economy.

Spotted Towhee Snooping on the Ground

A peaceful walk through the Shelly Road side of the Englishman River Estuary was a pleasant way to spend Sunday afternoon and a Tuesday morning bird walk. A few interesting birds took advantage of the early Spring days.

Fanny Bay Sea Lions

A couple quick stops by Fanny Bay and Deep Bay, while TGS played Chess, yielded a fun watch of the Sea Lions lolling on the rafts and a Great Blue Heron fishing for his lunch -- all in another delightful day on Vancouver Island.

Chestnut-backed Chickadee Lunching on Douglas Fir Seeds

Rathtrevor Provincial Park is different every day. A walk along the beach or through the woods is always a pleasure. Now that Spring has begun, change happens faster: more birds are showing up while flowers and leaves have started their annual renewal routines.

Englishman River Falls

One of several provincial parks just minutes away offered a pretty hike past the Englishman River waterfalls through old growth and second growth forest of Douglas firs, cedars, and maples.