Landscape

Sydney River Valley – Clayoqout Sound

On the western edge of Clayoquot Sound lies the Sydney River Valley, a fully intact rainforest watershed at the head of Sydney Inlet.

The steep, dramatic walls of Sydney Inlet have been protected since 1995 as one of Vancouver Island’s most striking fjord landscapes. But beyond the inlet, tucked deeper inland, lies an even greater rarity: an intact, roadless old-growth valley stretching unbroken from tideline to mountaintop. The Sydney River in Ahousaht territory is one of only five unlogged primary watersheds over 5,000 hectares remaining on western Vancouver Island — the rarest of the rare. Originally, there were 60.

The Sydney River is a true rainforest jewel, home to towering ancient trees and extraordinary biodiversity. The valley provides critical nesting habitat for the threatened Marbled Murrelet, supports rich runs of spawning salmon, and shelters black bears, cougars, & coastal wolves. It also harbours one of the rarest plants in Canada: the dwarf or Hibberson’s trillium (Trillium hibbersonii). Found in just seven sites across the country, three of them within the Sydney Inlet/River, this tiny, delicate flower stands as a powerful emblem of this vast rainforest.

For decades, the valley’s fate hung in the balance. While the steep fjord walls and estuary were protected in the existing provincial park, the expansive valley forests remained unprotected and at risk. In 2024, after years of advocacy, much of the watershed was permanently protected within the Kiišḥniqʷus Conservancy thanks to the leadership of the Ahousaht and Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation and support from the BC government. In total, 10 new conservancies were established in Clayoquot Sounds/, protecting 760 km² of land, marking a monumental victory for old-growth conservation.

Although few will ever set foot in this remote valley, it is reassuring to know that its ancient forests and wild creatures will continue to thrive, as they have for thousands of years — a reminder of hope in a difficult time for biodiversity worldwide.

Before visiting Ahousaht territory in Clayoquot Sound, be sure to see the Maaqutusiis Hahoutlhee Stewardship Society (MHSS) for information and stewardship fees.

Port Renfrew in the Snow – A Winter Wonderland

Here are some snowy scenes from around Port Renfrew, Fairy Lake, and the San Juan Valley in Pacheedaht territory in February 2025. It’s rare for this much snow to fall and then stick around without melting for a while. The island is a winter wonderland right now!

Northern Lights Victoria, BC ~ October 2024

The northern lights paint the night sky in a dreamy technicolour display. On October 10th, Victoria was treated to another intense aurora showing in what has been an epic year so far. Walking through the misty oak meadow after dark was surreal, with the tree tops looking more like acacia trees in the African savanna than something from around here. Standing under the silhouetted branches, the aurora came alive, with bands of teal blooming overhead washed with warm hues of pinky reds. Impossible to capture were the rapid white pulses that looked like clouds flying by at light speed. Eventually, I found myself on a beach watching the show on my own at two or three AM. What a beautiful universe we live in!

Northern Lights from Victoria, BC - May 2024

Mesmerizing rainbows of colour dancing like opals in the sky ~ it’s hard to think of something much more magical and beautiful than the aurora!

I captured these photos during the historic solar storm of May 10th from the beach at PKOLS/Mt. Doug Park, as well as from the top of Pkaals/Mt. Tolmie.

It was surreal to watch the colours bloom and light beams pulse while what looked like portals to another dimension opened overhead in the tie-dye skies. What a special experience to have shared with so many others in the early hours of the morning. A reminder of the vast and beautiful universe we’re all a part of.

Tidal Trees

Are you looking at a painting? A sketch? Or something even more incredible?

These “trees” were, in fact, all created naturally as water slowly trickled through grains of sand on the beach at Pachena Bay near Bamfield. While walking along the shore this past weekend, I was blown away by what appeared to be perfect drawings of trees beneath my feet. Big swirling trunks and branches arose, dotted with knots and other details. The combination of light and dark sands even made for accurate shading. Beyond individual trees, there were even whole “groves” of giants! I’ve seen simpler versions before, but nothing as detailed and realistic as this. Mother Nature never fails to impress.

Have you noticed these "sand" or "tidal" trees before? Whereabouts?

Pacific Storm - December 2023

A massive swell slammed into the coast from California to Alaska on December 28th, bringing with it monster waves of epic proportions. Swell heights off the west coast of Vancouver Island, where these were shot, reached 20 feet/6 meters. It’s such a raw and powerful experience to witness this explosive energy up close. The roars resulting from millions of litres of water moving with an incomprehensible amount of force are ferocious. They’re balanced by the delicate wisps and hiss of spray that kiss the air. It can hard to grasp the scale of the waves in these pictures but the biggest could have swallowed a small house. See the seagulls in some shots for scale

PSA: Always respect the forces of Mother Nature and keep yourself safe if venturing out in extreme conditions. Having experience with specific locations is important for better predicting safe shooting/viewing zones. Watch out for rogue waves, rolling logs, and flying debris. Never turn your back on the ocean and always have an escape plan. Then enjoy the show!

Hiking the Nootka Trail on the west coast of Vancouver Island, BC

In 2020, a group of friends and I spent a week hiking the incredible Nootka Trail along the west side of Nootka Island in Mowachaht/Muchalaht and Nuchatlaht territory. The 35-kilometer-long coastal hike winds along white sandy beaches with waterfalls, wolves, and whales, and through lush rainforest home to towering cedar and spruce trees. It was a heavenly hike, despite hauling a 60lb bag loaded with heavy camera gear in case we saw wildlife, which we most certainly did! Only took me three years to go through the thousand+ photos but I’m happy to finally share some of my faves.

Despite its amazing natural beauty, the majority of Nootka Island still remains unprotected and threatened by industrial logging. Ancient Forest Alliance is currently working to support local First Nations and their Salmon Parks Initiative which will begin to help conserve some of this spectacular region.