Several emerging plants were found where the snow is melting - Sitka valerian, bunchberry, common horsetail, bog-laurel, and round-leaved yellow violet. You know you are with an expert when they can identify a plant from just the leaves!
hint: round leaves...
Oval-leaved blueberry is flowering - an interesting plant, because the blooms emerge before the leaves. A sprig is on the windowsill of the Centre.
A new bird on the outing, not previously seen yet this season, was the hairy woodpecker, now added to the list to date.
Lichens and algae were also noted - in particular, the red algae that causes 'watermelon snow' - a great article on this in the latest BC Nature newsletter (link to follow) .
A mama bear & two healthy cubs were seen by the road, below the final hairpin turn of the Strathcona Parkway. At this time of year the bears are likely to be eating shoots & leaves of young plants. Visitors are more likely to see bears while driving than while hiking. Here is a link to BC Parks bear safety info.
Today's volunteer at the Centre is Mandy, a knowledgeable naturalist & member of the Comox Valley Naturalists Society. Tomorrow will be fellow CVNS member Isabella, who took these photos!
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