for inquiring minds

Category: Nature

  • Much about moss

    A deep dive back into the 20th reprint (2022) of Robin Wall Kimmerer’s collection of linked essays: “Gathering Mosses” As an aspiring naturalist (?), I enjoy walking through our local forests in all seasons. During winter, the woods can seem dark, the clouds are often thick and low, and the daylight hours seem too short.…

  • Losing your head

    Many years ago, on an Alaskan ferry heading for Sitka, we heard an announcement boom out over the top deck. The captain announced a summer-season treat–a free nature talk given by a young university student. We gathered around her in the sheltered lounge. The signboard said her talk was about “The creature that loses its…

  • Incredible Trees

    In 2024, Comox Valley Naturalists made some significant changes to their popular “Tree of the Year” event. The goal of this annual event (since it began in 2018) has been to identify and highlight trees of significant interest or importance in the Comox Valley to encourage interest in valuing and protecting trees within Comox Valley…

  • Aphids around the world

    When I was in my early teens, I used to stay overnight on Friday nights at my best friend Debbie’s house, because her mom would let us stay up late and watch really bad 1950’s horror movies (and eat huge bowls of popcorn). We binged on cringe-worthy movies like Them! (a 1954 hit about giant…