Articles Dragonflies June 27, 2012 / August 25, 2024 by Jean Wyenberg Dragonflies the largest member of the insect family in BC belong to the order of Odonata (Greek for toothed jaws), with over 80 species in our province. There are two distinct sub orders: Zygoptera (joined wings) are Damselflies which are slimmer, smaller and fly more slowly holding their winds above their bodies when resting and […] Read more »
Articles The (Un) Common Raven December 1, 2011 / August 25, 2024 by Jean Wyenberg The Raven’s Tale. (Haida story) Long ago no divisions existed between humans, animals and spirits. All things of the earth, sky, and, water were connected, and all beings could pass freely between them. The Raven was a trickster full of supernatural power. He stole the sun from his grandfather, Nasshahkeeyalhl, and made the moon and […] Read more »
Articles Small Species Sanctuary December 1, 2011 / August 25, 2024 by Jean Wyenberg Out of increasing necessity, there are many wildlife/nature sanctuaries to be found around our ailing planet – sanctuaries for grizzly bears, for buffalo, for bird life and even an elephant sanctuary to be found in Tennessee. It is pretty hard to miss a grizzly or an elephant. They are big, and they are spectacular. But […] Read more »
Articles Great Blue Heron December 1, 2011 / August 25, 2024 by Jean Wyenberg Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodius) is the largest and most widely distributed heron in Canada. Our BC population is unique in Canada as they are in residence all year round. Adults stand over 1 metre in height. Tthe head is white with a black stripe on each side extending back from the yellow eyes to […] Read more »
Articles Spotted Towhee December 1, 2011 / August 25, 2024 by Jean Wyenberg The Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus) is a large new world sparrow and can be found all over Gabriola Island. This handsome and distinctive bird – larger than a song sparrow and smaller than a robin, was lumped in with the eastern variation and called the Rufous Sided Towhee until recently. They average around 18-19 cm […] Read more »
Articles The Pacific Tree Frog December 1, 2011 / August 25, 2024 by Jean Wyenberg The Pacific Treefrog (Hyla regilla) is a very appealing little frog, and quite common in B.C. They are small frogs, up to 5 centimetres long, and may be any colour from pale grey or tan to bronze or bright emerald green. Pacific Treefrogs have a conspicuous dark “mask” or stripe extending from the nostrils through […] Read more »
Articles American Red Squirrel December 1, 2011 / August 25, 2024 by Jean Wyenberg The American Red Squirrel, Tamiasciurus hudsonicus, is an engagingly feisty little animal. Although primarily a creature of coniferous forests, the diurnal red squirrel also inhabits deciduous woodlands and can even be found in suburban and near-urban areas throughout their range. Their adaptability in terms of both habitat and food sources has made them remarkably successful. […] Read more »
Articles Snakes December 1, 2011 / August 25, 2024 by Jean Wyenberg by Jean Wyenberg (click on the image below for a larger version) Well that is enough to give some people shivers – but really our snakes are very nice, friendly, non threatening and even beneficial. On Gabriola Island we only have two kinds of snakes – the Sharp-tailed Snake and the Common Garter Snake. The […] Read more »
Articles Geneva’s Release December 1, 2011 / August 25, 2024 by Jean Wyenberg (click on the image below for a larger version) Back in November of 2008 we told you the story of Geneva, a seal pup rescued on Gabriola Island, who had quite a dramatic start to life. At that time the little seal pup had just come back to the Island Wildlife Natural Care Centre on […] Read more »
