Q: Is the Comox Glacier really a glacier or an icefield?A: After a bit of research, I think it might be appropriate to say 'both' ? A glacier is 'a mass of ice moving over a land mass' ; an icefield is 'a stationary mass of ice that forms in basins or on plateaus'. So the question would be is the ice moving or stationary? In the case of the Comox Glacier , the large mass of ice has formed between several peaks so part of it would fulfill the definition of an icefield - and part of it should be moving downhill so would fulfill the definition of a glacier. In fact the Comox Glacier is retreating ! as shown by dramatic photos taken by the president of the Comox District Mountaineering Club last summer.
Q: Near Lake Helen Mackenzie, what is the shrub with bell-shaped flowers & a 'skunky' smell?
A: Plants of Coastal BC (Pojar & MacKinnon) narrowed it down - but Betty Brooks was able to definitively ID this after her plant walk - it is false azalea (Menziesia ferruginea).
Q: A plant in the meadows, with leaves like marigold, not yet flowering?
A: Wood betony - also called bracted lousewort (Pedicularis bracteosa) Thanks Pam!
Q: Why is there no garbage bin outside the Centre?
A: We don't want to attract wildlife - but also, want to encourage everyone to practice 'Leave No Trace' ethics: i.e. pack out any garbage with you!
Q: Yesterday's missing sunglasses?
A: Found by the visitor!
Some other notes from today:
The guided Level 1 Hike around the Lake Helen Mackenzie loop was very enjoyable - there are several tricky snow patches still but they are melting fast - just watch out on the edges where you might break through. Lots of water in the creeks, ponds & lakes, and lots of snow still beyond Helen Mackenzie.
White mountain heather (Cassiope mertensiana)Those who went on the guided nature walk also had an enjoyable time - lots of questions & answers! As mentioned the Pojar & MacKinnon is a great botanical resource, but we also have a new publication available at the Wilderness Centre - a full-colour foldout of Alpine Flowers of Vancouver Island - which is becoming a best-seller.
Slender bog-orchid (Platanthera stricta) among Deer-cabbage (Fauria crista-galli)We are working on a translation into German (and hopefully French?) of some of the more common plants on the Paradise Meadows plant list. So would deer-cabbage be Fieberkleegewachse or Hirschkohl or Rehkohl?
Lots of Jeffrey's shootingstar (Dodecatheon jeffreyi) now in the meadows. Also reported after the Spring Flora & Fauna Nature Walk were western toad, red squirrel, rainbow trout and comma butterfly sp.New birds today include bald eagle, and I forgot to mention yesterday seeing a chipping sparrow, heard many times today.
An energetic group of hikers/mountaineers reported going up Mt. Albert Edward - the 'ice wall' of a week ago past Circlet Lake is now a 'slush wall' - crampons & good boots are needed. A couple of camping spaces are cleared at the lake.
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