ALL Plants & animals
LISTENING TO PLANTS

LISTENING TO PLANTS

In tending to the land, we can restore diversity—and restore ourselves.

Words & Gallery Photos by

Juliana Bedoya

Opening photo by

Juan Martinezguerra

MARMOTS IN FOCUS

MARMOTS IN FOCUS

The world’s rarest marmot lives on Vancouver Island. Photographer Catherine Babault wants to share its story with the world.

Words by

Mac Newton

Photos by

Catherine Babault

GOATS AND BOATS

GOATS AND BOATS

An Annual Migration From One Island To The Next.

Words & Photo by

Dood Turner

TRUE FACTS ABOUT FAKE BIRDS

TRUE FACTS ABOUT FAKE BIRDS

They’re among our most plentiful bird species, but seagulls don’t actually exist.

Words by

Neil Borecky

Photo by

Nick Thornton

FRIENDS OF FELINES

FRIENDS OF FELINES

The Kitty Cat P.A.L. Society cares for the Comox Valley’s under-loved cats.

Words by

Mac Newton

Photos by

Jenn Dykstra

The Gardening Movement

The Gardening Movement

Three soil experts share their knowledge on the past and future of growing

Words by

Arzeena Hamir

Words by

Heather Gray

THE DUBIOUS PLEASURES  OF WINTER BIRDING

THE DUBIOUS PLEASURES OF WINTER BIRDING

Join the hardy, determined, somewhat anti-social ranks of winter birders.

Words by

Jason Straka

Photo by

James Mackenzie

GETTING HIGH ON VANCOUVER ISLAND

GETTING HIGH ON VANCOUVER ISLAND

Singing the praises of our unique alpine environment.

Words & Photo by

Shane Johnson

SECOND CHANCES

SECOND CHANCES

Hunting nearly emptied the Salish Sea of whales. Many species are returning—but they’re still at risk.

Words by

Trish Weatherall

Photo courtesy of

Eagle Eye Adventures

Colourful Splendour in the Emerald Sea

Colourful Splendour in the Emerald Sea

Seeing the forest and the trees without leaving the ground.

Words and Photos by

Eiko Jones

Raising Backyard Birds

Raising Backyard Birds

A wonderful, rustic addition to backyards of all sizes

Words by

Maria Fyfe

Photos by

Alison Dawn

BEAVERS, WIDE OPEN!

BEAVERS, WIDE OPEN!

As RuPaul might say, getting to know more about our beavers may improve our quality of life.

Words by

Kristof Trout

Photos by

Bruce Moffat

VERACITY OF THE VESPIDS

VERACITY OF THE VESPIDS

Wasps are a family of insects truly to be loathed. Or are they?

Words by

Neil Borecky

Photo by

Curtis Parker

Seed Sowing 101

Seed Sowing 101

Witnessing the wonder of nature in your own backyard.

Words & Photos by

Leslie Cox

THE ELK IN OUR BACKYARD

THE ELK IN OUR BACKYARD

Cameras in hand, two determined documentarians spend a season in pursuit of the Comox Valley’s elusive Roosevelt elk.

Words by

Dave Flawse

Painting by

Christine Boyer

DARK SCIENCE

DARK SCIENCE

Biologists and “citizen scientists” in the Comox Valley have banned together to gather data on an elusive creature that has long been a metaphor for the fears of mankind.

Words by

Tim Ennis

Photos by

Neil Borecky

PROPHETS AND HARBINGERS

PROPHETS AND HARBINGERS

While we mostly live in harmony with owls, our fascination with these highly evolved predators is well represented in literature and mythology.

Words by

Neil Borecky

Photo by

Alexandra Stephanson

CURIOUS CREATURES

CURIOUS CREATURES

Catch-and-release aquariums provide a unique learning experience, sparking deep appreciation for the natural world.

Words by

Christa Petch

Photos by

Justine Adams

THE RETURN OF GIANTS

THE RETURN OF GIANTS

Following a decline due to the West Coast’s whaling history, the humpback population around Vancouver Island is making a massive comeback.

Words by

Sarah Hauser

Photo by

Brandon Hamilton

THE TROUBLE WITH WOLVES

THE TROUBLE WITH WOLVES

In an attempt to protect ungulate species, BC is faced with a difficult dilemma. Is culling their predators an ethical response—and a scientifically sound solution?

Words by

Andrew Findlay

Photos by

April Bencze

WHEN HERRING SPAWN

WHEN HERRING SPAWN

An ecological highlight of the Comox Valley winter arrives alongside these fascinating fish.

Heather & Keith Nicol

THE VERDANT VALLEY

THE VERDANT VALLEY

A trio of greenhouse gardeners share their secrets for a bountiful backyard.

Words by

Nik Dunn

Photos by

Nik Dunn