The map
– T. Koleszar

Onward march!
– A.Bryant

Some nice Western redcedar
– T. Koleszar

The mission explained…
– T. Koleszar

Just a typical Savary day
– A.Bryant

Song Sparrows were everywhere.
– A.Bryant

Hooker’s Onion Allium acuminatum
– T. Koleszar

Vancouver Island from Savary
– T. Koleszar

Killdeer nest
– A.Bryant

Killdeer looking anxious.
– A.Bryant

Unidentified tiphiid wasp on Hooker’s onion Allium acuminatum
– A. Bryant

Field chickweed Cerastium arvense
– A.Bryant

Critical habitat for the Contorted-pod Evening Primrose…overgrown with Scotch Broom.
– A. Bryant

We did find an abandoned steam-donkey!
– T. Koleszar

Artistically desicated grass
– A.Bryant

The group spies something…
– A.Bryant

A mule deer
– A.Bryant

The obligatory group shot.
– A.Bryant

In search of the Contorted-pod Evening Primrose
by Nancy Pezel 25 May 2019

We left the rain behind us as we drove towards Lund, patches of blue sky amongst the clouds promised good weather on our adventure.  After fueling up on cinnamon buns and coffees we took the short water taxi ride to Savary Island.  From the wharf we walked a few kilometers on a meandering road through some surprisingly lush looking western red cedar forests, which transitioned into drier Douglas-fir forests before emerging onto Duck Bay on the south side of the island.

Andrew explained that Savary Island is one of the best examples of coastal sand dune ecosystem, with feeder bluffs (eroding 25 cm/year!) and accumulation areas.  These ecosystems provide habitat for one of the rarest and most endangered species in Canada, the contorted-pod evening-primrose (Camissonia contorta).  A large part of this sand dune ecosystem on the island was successfully protected in 2018.   Today’s mission was to find some of these rare plants.

We had a wonderful day searching, exploring the beach, enjoying the views, and with the help of our local guide Jayne, discovering some unique Douglas-fir trees.   The contorted-pod evening primrose, however remained elusive.   Savary is such a beautiful place, we might just have to try again Andrew!