January 2010

In the midst of winter I thought I would share some colourful photos of anemonaes,  sea stars (starfish), sea cucumbers and other tidal pool life from a trip to Vancouver Island a few years ago.  So delicate and beautiful and easily found when the tide is low.  They are fascinating forms of ocean life.  These photos were taken on western shores of Vancouver Island and on Galliano Island.

Below – Sea Cucumbers in a rock crevice

Enjoy!

~Sharon

This Snowshoe Hare turned white before we had snow and was laying low between two stumps underneath the cover of a spruce tree.  Because it turned white before the snow it would have been much more visible to predators.  The hare has really large feet to help it stay on top of the snow covered ground.   These hares are brown during the summer months. The Snowshoe Hare lives in the boreal forest and is found in every province and territory of Canada.  They can have as many as four litters each year.  It uses a network of trails in its range and is most active between dusk and dawn.

Enjoy!

~Sharon

I love watching these birds!  They are beautifully coloured and elusive at most times of the year as they seem to prefer the spruce and fir forested areas but in winter they will flock to feeding stations.  Adult males are gray and red and adult females are gray with olive green/golden highlights on the head and rump.  According to my reference book they are sometimes referred to a Snow Parrots because of their size, colour and feeding habits.  These photos were taken in the Kenora area.  They are such beautiful birds.

Enjoy!

~Sharon