Victoria, BC - Part 5

 23 June, 2026

Goldstream Provincial Park 

     Whenever we visit Vancouver Island this park is one of our favourite places to visit, set in magnificent coastal rainforest, where moss and lichens drip off the trees.

     This stream is close to the parking area and we have seen American Dipper (Cinclus mexicanus) there in the past.

     No such luck today, however.

     A Swainson's Thrush (Catharus ustulatus) was foraging among the picnic tables and seemed to be having great success picking off insects.

     Several Western Tiger Swallowtails (Papilio rutulus) were observed; they would do well to skirt clear of the thrush.

     Wall Lettuce (Mycelis muralis), an invader from Europe, was quite abundant.

     We are always quite awestruck in the presence of the giant coastal trees. Miriam standing against one of them will illustrate the point.

      We see Orange-crowned Warbler (Leiothlypis celata) in central and eastern Canada, but it is far more abundant in the west.

     It was not difficult to find.

     Brambles (genus Rubus) will soon bear fruit.

     Giant Horsetail (Equisetum telmateia) was evenly distributed throughout the forest.

     This was equally true of Western Sword Fern (Polystichum munitum).

    Common Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis) was introduced to Southern Vancouver Island from its native range of Europe in 1967 and has slowly been spreading since.

     While undeniably attractive, its spread should be discouraged. It has now made its way to the very northern tip of the Island, being regularly sighted in the Campbell River area.

     This dead tree was hosting a Red-breasted Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus ruber) but it flew off the moment I hit the button on the camera! Any wildlife photographer will offer sympathy for this familiar occurence!

     Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum) is one of my favourite woodland flowers so I was delighted to see this familiar species so far from home.

     Western Skunk Cabbage (Lysichiton americanus) populated the wet spots.

     Nipplewort (Lapsana communis) is native to Europe and southwestern Asia, but has become naturalized in many parts of the world.

     Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) was very common throughout our stay in BC.

     False Bindweeds (genus Calystegia) is a genus of about 25 species of flowering plants in the bindweed family Convolvulaceae.

     The whole area is characterized by trees festooned with mosses and lichens.

     A Buttercup (genus Ranunculus) enlivened the gloom of the dark recesses of the forest.

     Coastal hedge nettle (Stachys chamissonis) is a tall, aromatic perennial herb in the mint family native to the moist coastal regions of western North America.  Despite its common name, it does not sting like true nettles.

     We made our way back to the car.

     An American Robin (Turdus migratorius) was there to bid us farewell and to implore us to return soon!

Cowichan Bay

     It was lunch time so we decided to drive up to Cowichan Bay where we knew there would be good local fish available.

     We found a modest little place with outdoor seating which had many good ratings on line.

     It was obviously a popular establishment for most of the tables were occupied and they were doing a brisk takeout trade. So brisk in fact we waited an hour for our meals! The quality of the food was excellent, but the wait time was clearly unreasonable.

     We did see a Pacific Harbour Seal (Phoca vitulina richardii) swimming close by.

     We did not, however see either Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) or Purple Martin (Progne subis), two species we had seen on all previous visits to this location. There were few gulls in the harbour and no cormorants either.

     

     The temperature had reached 31 degrees so we opted to return home rather than continue birding in the oppressive heat. 

     We took a nap and had a simple dinner, having feasted well at lunch time.

     In what was becoming a regular evening ritual the stag Columbian Back-tailed Deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus) paid us a visit.

     We were always happy to see him.

A Visit to Lakeside Park, Kitchener, ON

"Nature isn't separate from us, and part of our salvation as a species depends on respecting, if not rejoicing in, that simple companionable truth."

Diane Ackerman

                                                                                                                                 

     Lakeside Park is a noteworthy little oasis in the midst of urban development and Miriam and I made a couple of recent visits. Here is an account of the first one.

26 July, 2026

     For a naturalist, patrolling the park with eyes wide open, there is a never-ending source of discovery and joy.

     This Topiary Grass Veneer (Chrysoteuchia topiarus) was spotted quietly resting and we took a picture without disturbing it.

     Loxocera cylindrica is a species of Rust Fly in the family Psilidae.

     Virginia Stickseed (Hackelia virginiana) looks labyrinthian and vaguely sinister embraced by clinging vines.

     Ants in the subgenus Lasius are often detected foraging above ground.

     Predictably, Common Red Soldier Beetles (Rhagonycha fulva) were seen "everywhere."

     Adults feed on aphids, and eat pollen and nectar. Larvae prey on ground-dwelling invertebrates, such as slugs and snails, and live at the base of long grasses. The adults, which are active between June and August, spend much of their short lives mating and can often be seen in pairs.

     In Britain they are commonly referred to as Hogweed Bonking Beetles!

     Condylostylus is a genus of flies in the family Dolichopodidae. It is the second largest genus in the subfamily Sciapodinae, with more than 250 species included.

     It is far from easy - at least for me - to separate one species from another, but here are two of these scintillating little creatures.

     I think this is a Virginia Creeper Treehopper (Telamona ampelopsidis), but I am not sure.

     Jagged Ambush Bugs (genus Phymata) are easy to find.

     Carrot Seed Moth (Sitochroa palealis) was first spotted in North America in 2002 and has become well established.

     It manifests a distinct preference for Wild Carrot (Daucus carota) as seen above.

     This attractive flower is probably Lesser Burdock (Arctium minus).

     Common Motherwort (Leconurus cardiaca) is introduced and widespread.

    The specific epithet cardiaca refers to the belief in the 17th Century that  motherwort is useful for removing "melancholy" vapors from the heart.

     I am always happy to see Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), an excellent native pollinator plant.

     Eastern Calligrapher (Toxomerus germinatus) is one of our most common flower flies.

     Dragonflies are often difficult to photograph because they dart around at high speed and seldom land. Autumn Meadowhawk (Sympetrum vicinum) is a little more cooperative than many other common species.

     There are those who refer to Chicory (Cichorium intybus) as a weed. How dare they? The flower is as close to perfection as one might attain.

     Eurasian Drone Fly (Eristalis arbustorum) is a very attractive hoverfly.  In North America, the species was introduced near Toronto around 1885 and is now ubiquitous throughout much of Canada and the United States.

     Perennial Sow Thistle (Sonchus arvensis) is ubiquitous and (as are all thistles) quite beautiful.

     Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) is an invasive plant that causes serious issues in native ecosystems.

     

     It has spread rapidly across North America and is present in nearly every Canadian province and almost every U.S. state. This plant has the ability to produce as many as two million seeds in a growing season, creating dense stands of Purple Loosestrife that outcompete native plants for habitat. These populations result in changes to ecosystem functions, including reduced nesting sites, shelter, and food for birds, as well as an overall decline in biodiversity.

     White Meadowsweet (Spiraea alba) is delicate and fragrant, and exceptionally beautiful.

     Fungi are not easy to identify without specialized education and practice, but based on my limited ability with these taxa I believe this specimen is Bearded Fieldcap (Agrocybe molesta).

     A Common Eastern Bumble Bee (Bombus impatiens) was foraging on Common Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis)

     I am utterly entranced by Miriam's whimsical captures of Ribwort Plantain (Plantago lanceolata).

     This Red-belted Bumble Bee (Bombus rufocinctus) was busy sipping nectar from White Clover (Trifolium repens), having already garnered a substantial quantity of pollen.

     What a handsome creature it is!

     We visited Lakeside Park just a few days later when my daughter was spending time with us, and I had originally planned to combine the two sessions into one report. This is already quite long enough, however and there will be more to follow.

     Lakeside Park forever!