Nature

A coyote spotted in Vernon in June of 2019. (Carla Hunt Photography)

Okanagan Nature Nut: Wily coyotes outsmart eradication efforts

People have witnessed them catch golf balls which may be mistaken for eggs

  • Nov 5, 2022

 

The Alouette River Management Society encourages spectators to be respectful of salmon when viewing them. (ARMS/Special to The News)

Environmental group releases tips for salmon viewing this season

6.8 million sockeye salmon have returned on the Fraser River this year

 

A young female Humpback whale named ‘Spike’ was found dead off Malcolm Island. (Jared Towers photo)

Young female humpback whale ‘Spike’ found dead off Vancouver Island

Officials still investigating cause of whale’s death

 

Giant Pacific octopus approaches Campbell River diver Andrea Humphreys during a friendly and unforgettable encounter near Campbell River Oct. 15, 2022. Screen capture from video by Andrea Humphreys

VIDEO: A sucker for a friendly face; octopus gloms onto diver for once-in-a-lifetime encounter

Diver off Campbell River spends amazing 40-minute session with a friendly octopus

Giant Pacific octopus approaches Campbell River diver Andrea Humphreys during a friendly and unforgettable encounter near Campbell River Oct. 15, 2022. Screen capture from video by Andrea Humphreys
This adult western conifer seed bug is exploring for a place to spend the winter. (John G. Woods photo)

Column: Western conifer seed bugs nothing to make a stink over

Nature Watch by John G. Woods

  • Oct 20, 2022
This adult western conifer seed bug is exploring for a place to spend the winter. (John G. Woods photo)
Humped and hooked-nose male sockeye and females swimming up river to spawn. (Lyle Berzins photo)

Okanagan Nature Nut: Nature’s most impressive show

Extraordinary salmon run is on now on the Adams River

Humped and hooked-nose male sockeye and females swimming up river to spawn. (Lyle Berzins photo)
Bats will be on display at Vernon’s Allan Brooks Nature Centre from Oct. 1-29. (J. Saremba photo)

Bat exhibit swooping into North Okanagan nature centre

Bats: Out of the Darkness exhibit will be at the Allan Brooks Nature Centre throughout October

Bats will be on display at Vernon’s Allan Brooks Nature Centre from Oct. 1-29. (J. Saremba photo)
Lululemon founder Chip Wilson and his wife Summer Wilson laugh while speaking after announcing a $100 million donation to preserve and protect B.C.’s natural spaces through their Wilson 5 Foundation, in Vancouver, B.C., Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Lululemon founder Chip Wilson gifts $100M to help preserve B.C.’s nature

Lululemon Athletica Inc. founder and billionaire Chip Wilson is donating $100 million…

Lululemon founder Chip Wilson and his wife Summer Wilson laugh while speaking after announcing a $100 million donation to preserve and protect B.C.’s natural spaces through their Wilson 5 Foundation, in Vancouver, B.C., Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Shuswap nature photographer Ron Banville pays close attention to the birds that nest in Salmon Arm’s bird sanctuary, and has captured numerous images of ducklings, goslings, grebettes and other newborn birds. (Ron Banville photo)

‘Everybody loves the otters’: Shuswap photographer enjoys sharing ‘what’s really going on’

Ron Banville’s affection for Salmon Arm bird sanctuary finds following on Facebook

Shuswap nature photographer Ron Banville pays close attention to the birds that nest in Salmon Arm’s bird sanctuary, and has captured numerous images of ducklings, goslings, grebettes and other newborn birds. (Ron Banville photo)
This photo provided by Daniela C. Roessler in August 2022 shows a jumping spider (E. arcuata) exhibiting leg curling during a REM sleep-like state. A study published on Monday, Aug. 8, 2022, suggests that jumping spiders show signs of sleep cycles, similar to humans and some animals. (Daniela C. Roessler via AP)

Do spiders sleep? Study suggests they may snooze like humans

Biologist: ’It was just the most unusual thing I’ve ever seen’

This photo provided by Daniela C. Roessler in August 2022 shows a jumping spider (E. arcuata) exhibiting leg curling during a REM sleep-like state. A study published on Monday, Aug. 8, 2022, suggests that jumping spiders show signs of sleep cycles, similar to humans and some animals. (Daniela C. Roessler via AP)
Nectaring mosquito pollinating an oxeye daisy. (Contributed)

Okanagan Nature Nut: What good are mosquitos?

Vernon-based outdoor enthusiast reveals the secret lives of these tiny pollinators

Nectaring mosquito pollinating an oxeye daisy. (Contributed)
The Morkin property in Southern Alberta. (Brent Calver/Nature Conservancy of Canada)

Fill your pack with snacks, scientists need to know how neat B.C. nature is

The BioBlitz, through the iNaturalist app, runs from July 28-Aug. 1

The Morkin property in Southern Alberta. (Brent Calver/Nature Conservancy of Canada)
This long exposure image shows the eruption of volcano Sakurajima Sunday night, July 24, 2022, in the view from Tarumizu city, Japan’s southern prefecture of Kagoshima. Japan’s Meteorological Agency said a volcano on Japan’s southern main island of Kyushu erupted Sunday night, spewing ash and volcanic rocks, but there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries in nearby towns. (Kyodo News via AP)

Japan’s Sakurajima volcano erupts, triggering evacuation

No immediate reports of damage or injuries in nearby towns

This long exposure image shows the eruption of volcano Sakurajima Sunday night, July 24, 2022, in the view from Tarumizu city, Japan’s southern prefecture of Kagoshima. Japan’s Meteorological Agency said a volcano on Japan’s southern main island of Kyushu erupted Sunday night, spewing ash and volcanic rocks, but there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries in nearby towns. (Kyodo News via AP)
Courtesy Photo, Public Health - Seattle & King County

Okanagan Nature Nut narrows in on bats

Bat season returns with a purpose

Courtesy Photo, Public Health - Seattle & King County
The Nature Trust of BC is looking to expand the protected area around the Keremeos Columns Provincial Park. (Nature Trust of B.C.)

Nature Trust aiming to expand in Keremeos and White Lake

Two purchases have been subject to recent fundraising

The Nature Trust of BC is looking to expand the protected area around the Keremeos Columns Provincial Park. (Nature Trust of B.C.)
A bee searches for pollen on a flower during a sunny spring day in Belgrade, Serbia, Friday, April 8, 2022. A study published in the journal Nature on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 says habitat loss from big agriculture and climate change are combining to threaten the world’s insects. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

Climate change, big agriculture combine to threaten insects

Scientists have noticed dramatic drop in total bug numbers

A bee searches for pollen on a flower during a sunny spring day in Belgrade, Serbia, Friday, April 8, 2022. A study published in the journal Nature on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 says habitat loss from big agriculture and climate change are combining to threaten the world’s insects. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
The goal to create a protected eagle reserve at the French Creek estuary will become a reality. (Michael Briones photo)

$5M dream to create B.C. eagle sanctuary poised to become reality

Campaign to purchase estuary land reaches fundraising goal

The goal to create a protected eagle reserve at the French Creek estuary will become a reality. (Michael Briones photo)
A bighorn sheep mom and her baby. The Skaha Lake Eastside conservation complex adds important habitat for Bighorn Sheep for foraging, lambing, and escaping predators. (contributed)

Nature Trust of B.C. buys 32 hectares of Bighorn Sheep land in Penticton

Skaha Lake Eastside property adds important habitat for foraging, lambing, and escaping predators.

A bighorn sheep mom and her baby. The Skaha Lake Eastside conservation complex adds important habitat for Bighorn Sheep for foraging, lambing, and escaping predators. (contributed)
(Lakes District News File Photo/Eddie Huband)

VIDEO: Fraser Valley pilot spots black bear from the air

Agassiz area pilot captures footage of a wandering black bear among the stalks of corn

(Lakes District News File Photo/Eddie Huband)
This year’s Western hemlock "looper" moth outbreak has been seen in the Lower Mainland and the Interior, including communities throughout the Columbia Shuswap Regional District. (Lorraine Maclauchlan photo)

Western Hemlock Looper Moths return for a third feast of B.C. foliage

Outbreaks of the moths occur every 11 to 15 years in Coastal and Interior forests

This year’s Western hemlock "looper" moth outbreak has been seen in the Lower Mainland and the Interior, including communities throughout the Columbia Shuswap Regional District. (Lorraine Maclauchlan photo)