Blogs

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 »

Bighorn Sheep ewe making her way down the Redwall cliffs by Larry Halverson Read more »

 



 Building wildlife crossing structures near on Hwy 93 near Dolly Varden picnic site by Larry Halverson Read more »

 
Leafy Spurge"looking good" near Invermere is one of the largest out breaks in BC by Larry Halverson

The greenish-yellow flower may look pretty but it is one bad noxious weed. It degrades grazing capacity, and devastates wildlife habitat by reducing diversity. It is also poisonous to most livestock except sheep. Read more »

 Fiery Skipper on a windy day - by Larry halverson Read more »

Flower colour can vary from creamy white to reddish pink by Larry Halverson Read more »

 
Cynipid wasps create these “alien looking” spiked ball on wild rose leaves - by Larry Halverson Read more »