NOTE: This post contains slideshows and if you are reading it on your phone, it is best viewed direct from the SITE, rather than in the READER.
All photos taken during our August 10, 2021 walk in Bunchberry Meadows and Tucker’s Field.
You never know what wildlife you will see along this walk. These next photos detail what we saw this day.
At long last, we saw two whitetail deer. Unfortunately, they saw us and bounced off into the bush. I managed a quick click on wide angle (centre of the path in the distance)
Spiders – nature’s insect engineers
this looks like an anthill, but may be a ground wasp nest
Wasps were everywhere…
…as were grasshoppers
we actually bumped into other hikers on the trail on this date
Magnificent Blue Eyed Dorner dragonflies were flying about everywhere, but this was the only one that posed for me.
Wooly Bears are still aboutthese wasps were right at home
This guy hitchhiked his way up out of a ravine on my pant leg and then hopped onto Patty’s boot.Jiminy Crickets.
At last, a squirrel sighting. This guy seemed to be following us.
Not much to tell. After working for 3 companies over 43+ years (38 years 7 months with my last company), I finally got that promotion I had waited my entire career for……retirement.
I have been exploring this new career for the past 7+ years and while it is not always exciting, the chance to do what I want for myself and my family instead of what my company wants has been very fulfilling. Early on, there was a long list of projects in my “to-do” hopper and I attacked these projects with a vengeance for the first 9 months of retirement. Eventually, my brain told me that this was not what retirement was about, so it took me another 5 months before my industriousness again took over and I attacked another line of projects, this time somewhat shorter and less complicated, as well as many new projects related to the family weddings in 2016. After going hard for 6 weeks and 3 weddings, my body was telling me to relax, then the flu bug hit and as soon as that was done with me, my sciatic acted up. No rest for the wicked. In 2020 and 2021, the Covid 19 pandemic changed the whole retirement gig. I was lucky to not be still working, for sure.
I enjoy photography, gardening, working with my hands, walking, cycling, skiing, travelling, reading and creating special photo and video productions obtained in my first pastime. I may never become wealthy in any of these pursuits, but I already feel I am rich in life experiences far beyond any expectation.
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The blue eyed Dorner seems to have been the most common dragon fly this year and the only ones to sit and pose for me. I hope to get some cooperative, red, orange yellow and green varieties next year. Thanks for reading Lyssy. Have a great day. Allan
Thanks Maggie. You do not often get time to take a good look at these insects. I was lucky to find this one still doing morning warm ups. Thanks for reading. Allan
If we had been walking in the afternoon, he would have been flitting and flying all about. The grasshoppers, I think were just a bit dumb. As we walked, they kept flying from one footstep to the others before realizing they should get off the path. Out there yesterday at -2C for the low and there were no bugs about. Thanks for reading Bernie. Allan
Lots of grasshoppers in this forest, but not as bad as down South near Medicine Hat/Lethbridge. Too bad I could not have captured my reflection in the Dorner’s blue eyes. Thanks for reading Christie. Allan
It’s incredible how much there is to see along the trail if you just take the time to slow down and look around. Great shots of all the various small critters and creatures in the forest.
Agreed. Our repeat visits have forced us to take a closer look at the little things and the walk has become much more enjoyable. Hard to believe it took us so long to find this place right on our doorstep. Thanks for reading. Allan
Thanks Scott. The dragon flies are the stars in this forest. Not just because of appearance….they also eat mosquitoes. They are long gone now. Thanks for reading. Allan
It was so hot and dry here, perfect for grasshoppers. Not so perfect for mosquitoes (yay), so I think a few dragon flies may have gone hungry. We know there are deer in this forest, but sightings are rare. Thanks for reading Lori. Allan
Your squirrel photos are the best, Allan, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen Woolly Bear caterpillars before. Are they the ones that have a reputation for being able to forecast the coming winter weather? Thanks for sharing, I hope all is well 🙂 Aiva
Thanks Aiva. I love those little guys and as my son says, no trip is complete without a squirrel photo. Yes, the wooly bears can forecast the weather and because the ones I saw were all black (no rust bands) that means a wicked winter is coming. Yikes. All is well and we are enjoying nice fall weather. Thanks for reading. Allan
Beautiful captures. That dragonfly was amazing. We blew it way up and you can see the hair and even count the individual panels that make up the wings. As for the wasps, we have had two nests and lots of bites. We had to call the same pest company that comes in a full bee body gear. He still got bit. You may be surprised to hear about the giant murder Hornets spotted in the Northwest. They literally killed a man’s bee farm. He went out and saw all this carnage. Something had bit the heads off of every bee. Literally these things are giant in size and very dangerous. If you ever spot them call the wildlife service right away and don’t go near them. Great post. Blessings to your lovely family. Love ❤️ Joni
Dragon flies are amazing works of engineering. It is like Da Vinci designed them. Not a fan of wasps, but this year, thanks to the hot weather, they seemed to have a shorter life span. I have had to dispose of one wasp nest this year and one about 20 years ago. Not fun. As to murder hornets, I know they found them in Washington state. Not sure if they came across the border into B.C. yet, but wildlife officials are on the lookout. I did see something called a deer wasp many years back and it was huge and sounded like an airplane coming. I tried to swat it and then ran inside. All the best to you and your family, Joni. Allan
Picture This 
Very eventful walk! The dragon fly is pretty cool
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The blue eyed Dorner seems to have been the most common dragon fly this year and the only ones to sit and pose for me. I hope to get some cooperative, red, orange yellow and green varieties next year. Thanks for reading Lyssy. Have a great day. Allan
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What amazing shots of dragonflies Allan and I loved your spiders web too.
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Thanks Marion. It is so nice to be able to see into the various forest communities. Thanks for reading. Allan
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Great shots of the dragonfly! It’s so colourful.
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Thanks Maggie. You do not often get time to take a good look at these insects. I was lucky to find this one still doing morning warm ups. Thanks for reading. Allan
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Yes. Truly stunning photo.
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Thank you and thanks for stopping by. Allan
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Morning warm ups. LOL. They are so fast I know what a great captures that is! Along with old Jiminy Cricket’s cousin.
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If we had been walking in the afternoon, he would have been flitting and flying all about. The grasshoppers, I think were just a bit dumb. As we walked, they kept flying from one footstep to the others before realizing they should get off the path. Out there yesterday at -2C for the low and there were no bugs about. Thanks for reading Bernie. Allan
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Nice shots Allan! I never get tired to look after them either, and we’ve seen so many grasshoppers this summer LOL
The dragonfly really posed for you!
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Lots of grasshoppers in this forest, but not as bad as down South near Medicine Hat/Lethbridge. Too bad I could not have captured my reflection in the Dorner’s blue eyes. Thanks for reading Christie. Allan
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Wow! The wildlife seems to be jumping!
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Absolutely. Glad it was only tiny wildlife, when it jumped on me. Thanks for reading. Allan
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Yeah, the amount of bear stories I hear makes me be like, “I wouldn’t want one of those jumping on me!”
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It’s incredible how much there is to see along the trail if you just take the time to slow down and look around. Great shots of all the various small critters and creatures in the forest.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Agreed. Our repeat visits have forced us to take a closer look at the little things and the walk has become much more enjoyable. Hard to believe it took us so long to find this place right on our doorstep. Thanks for reading. Allan
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Great pics, Allan. I really liked the dragonfly.
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Thanks Scott. The dragon flies are the stars in this forest. Not just because of appearance….they also eat mosquitoes. They are long gone now. Thanks for reading. Allan
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What is with grasshoppers this year! They are all over the place here! Looks like you had a lot to see from deer to dragonfly!!
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It was so hot and dry here, perfect for grasshoppers. Not so perfect for mosquitoes (yay), so I think a few dragon flies may have gone hungry. We know there are deer in this forest, but sightings are rare. Thanks for reading Lori. Allan
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your squirrel photos are the best, Allan, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen Woolly Bear caterpillars before. Are they the ones that have a reputation for being able to forecast the coming winter weather? Thanks for sharing, I hope all is well 🙂 Aiva
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Aiva. I love those little guys and as my son says, no trip is complete without a squirrel photo. Yes, the wooly bears can forecast the weather and because the ones I saw were all black (no rust bands) that means a wicked winter is coming. Yikes. All is well and we are enjoying nice fall weather. Thanks for reading. Allan
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful captures. That dragonfly was amazing. We blew it way up and you can see the hair and even count the individual panels that make up the wings. As for the wasps, we have had two nests and lots of bites. We had to call the same pest company that comes in a full bee body gear. He still got bit. You may be surprised to hear about the giant murder Hornets spotted in the Northwest. They literally killed a man’s bee farm. He went out and saw all this carnage. Something had bit the heads off of every bee. Literally these things are giant in size and very dangerous. If you ever spot them call the wildlife service right away and don’t go near them. Great post. Blessings to your lovely family. Love ❤️ Joni
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dragon flies are amazing works of engineering. It is like Da Vinci designed them. Not a fan of wasps, but this year, thanks to the hot weather, they seemed to have a shorter life span. I have had to dispose of one wasp nest this year and one about 20 years ago. Not fun. As to murder hornets, I know they found them in Washington state. Not sure if they came across the border into B.C. yet, but wildlife officials are on the lookout. I did see something called a deer wasp many years back and it was huge and sounded like an airplane coming. I tried to swat it and then ran inside. All the best to you and your family, Joni. Allan
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That was such an amazing shot. They are so magical and beautiful. Stunning. Be careful getting rid of nest. Sending lots of hugs. 🤗❤️
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