Blogs

 
Red Squirrel with long vibrissae by Larry Halverson

They are called vibrissae or more commonly known as whiskers. But the whiskers on this Red Squirrel are different from what men grow on their chin. Read more »

Determined Wild Turkey by Larry Halverson 
 

“Everyone’s favorite midwinter bird count is happening this February 14–17, and for the second year in a row it’s open to anyone, anywhere in the world. Read more »

 
A fossilized arthropod found by scientists in the newly discovered Burgess Shale site in Kootenay National Park.
 Photo by Michael Streng

“New fossil bed found by scientists hailed as 'motherlode'

In over 100 years of research, approximately 200 animal species have been identified at the original Burgess Shale discovery in Yoho National Park in over 600 field days. In just 15 days of field collecting, 50 animal species have already been unearthed at the new Kootenay National Park site.”  Read more »

 
Kootenay 2003 Fires by John Dean

John Dean's new work featured at The Edge Gallery in Canmore is a series of recent photographs from the site of the 2003 forest fire in Kootenay National Park. The Photographs were made with a high resolution digital camera and are printed on beautiful cold rolled art paper. Read more »

 
Northern Pygmy Owl perched on a Douglas Fir snag - February 3, 2014 - Larry Halverson

As its name suggests, the Northern Pygmy Owl is Canada’s smallest owl, about the size of a pop can and weighs only 70 grams. But despite their small size, they are quite fierce, and will attack prey several times their own size. There are even cases where pygmy owls have killed domestic chickens. 
 Read more »

Moraine Lake by Google

What do tents and hiking boots have in common? You don’t need either to start exploring or planning your next adventure to some of the best national parks and historical sites across North America. Read more »

Fighting Fire with Fire in Kootenay National Park
by Parks Canada



Using fire to fight fire may seem counter-intuitive, but a deliberately lit fire can be a very important tool in a firefighter's toolkit. Read more »

 
Pack rats are on the move this time of year as the young disperse, looking for winter residents.
Photo by Larry Halverson

The bushy-tailed wood rat, more commonly know as a pack rat, derived its name from its compelling desire to collect all sorts of small articles, especially shiny objects. There have been instances where pack rats have taken money, diamond rings and even false teeth. The items stolen are often replaced with useless things such as twigs or pebbles. Occasional they will trade valuable objects. According to one tale "a pack rat left some gold nuggets on the table in a prospector’s cabin in exchange for some trivial trinkets."  Read more »

Chicory is also called Blue Sailors - by Larry Halverson

On August 20, 2013 a single Chicory plant was found growing at the Kootenay View Point. This exotic plant was introduced from Europe and is now naturalized in North America. It grows in the drier parts of BC in fields, roadsides and waste places. Over the years Chicory has been spreading northward in the Rocky Mountain Trench. They are normally found at lower elevations averaging around 600 meters. So this new sighting at the view point may also be a new elevation record at 1365 meters. Read more »

Carpenter Ants have occupied an old Pileated Woodpecker hole and by the looks of the sawdust pile
they have been busy excavating new nest galleries. by Larry Halverson 

Carpenter Ants are excavators and not wood feeders like termites. They usually build their nests in dead or decaying trees and logs. Read more »