May04_2008

Botanical Glossary - Home - References Cited

The main event: Skookumchuck Narrows - This park was established in 1957. Skookumchuck Narrows Provincial Park provides trails and viewing areas for visitors who wish to experience the awesome power of incredibly turbulent tidal rapids. On a 3 metre tide, 200 billion gallons of water flow through the narrows connecting Sechelt and Jervis Inlet. The difference in water levels between one side of the rapids and the other sometimes exceeds 2 metres in height. Current speeds can exceed 30km/hr. The rapids are famous for their spectacular whirlpools and whitewater. There are opportunities to view tidal rapids, waterfowl and abundant marine life at various tidal levels. Brown Lake provides further waterfowl viewing opportunities.

Photos - L-R - Secret Bay at Egmont BC - Bathgates dock with fishboats moored.

A small stream flowing near the Skookumchuck Park Trail entrance.

Skookumchuck Park main entrance - a popular place for hikers, local jogging enthusiasts, and nature lovers.

Photos - Frames left and right: Once into the park we notice most of the undergrowth here has tree moss and cattail mosses growing, giving the trees a rain forest feel.

Center frame: A huge mound of moss at trail side with a grove of Peltigera Neopolydactyla (Frog Pelt) The broad lobed leaves are sometimes gray, olive green, or smoky blue with log, slender, white Rhizines (Hold-fasts, resembling short, gray hairs or velcro) underneath distinguish this lichen. Found on rock, moss, soil and logs in open to shady forest in all forest elevations.

Photos - L-R - A lovely crop of Omphalina Ericetorum (Lichen Agaric) on a rotting stump - Lichen Agaric is a small, delicate mushroom recognized by it's parasol shaped cap with radial lines, usually associated with Lichen and moss.

One of my favorite mosses because of it's large leaf plume resembling some exotic fan. Hylocomium Splendins (Step Moss, Stair Step Moss) Usually associated with slightly calcium-rich soils - common in lowland to middle elevation forest. By far, the most beautiful moss in the Pacific Northwest, each annual growth spurt is recorded with a new branch.

Diva and Bear running ahead to enjoy as many new scents as possible for two noses to whiff.

Click here for more photos of Skookumchuck Narrows Park for this day.