Friends of Kootenay Blog
Access stories and photos about the natural and human history of Kootenay National Park and Columbia Valley Includes highlights about the Friends of Kootenay National Park activities and programs.
Larry's blog
Making Something Bad Look Good
Posted: June 17, 2013
Leafy Spurge"looking good" near Invermere is one of the largest out breaks in BC by Larry Halverson
The greenish-yellow flower may look pretty but it is one bad noxious weed. It degrades grazing capacity, and devastates wildlife habitat by reducing diversity. It is also poisonous to most livestock except sheep. Read more »
What's Up - Wind Flower
Posted: June 7, 2013
Flower colour can vary from creamy white to reddish pink by Larry Halverson Read more »
Alien Looking Pink Balls
Posted: June 5, 2013
Cynipid wasps create these “alien looking” spiked ball on wild rose leaves - by Larry Halverson Read more »
M 645
Posted: June 4, 2013
Ram #M645 with the radio collar he wore for 10 months in 2008 - Photo by Alan Didd
“In spring 2013 wildlife researchers marked the passing of a special member of the Radium Bighorn Sheep Herd. Ram #M645 gave us knowledge that will be used for years to come to protect his herd and others like it in Kootenay National Park.” Read the full story Kootenay National Park Bighorn Sheep Ram #M645 Read more »
Endangered Patch of Yellow
Posted: June 1, 2013
Buffalo Bean an endangered plant in BC - May27, 2013 by Larry Halverson
Pea-like flowers that form pea like poisonous pods by Larry Halverson
Buffalo Bean. This is one plant you won't find in the Rocky Mountain Flower guides as it is primarily a prairie plant. But this patch of yellow was seen along the edge of the highway south of Numa Falls in Kootenay National Park. It may have been introduce from a vehicle traveling from Alberta. Read more »
Leaf Miner
Posted: May 31, 2013 
Leaf Miner leaves a trail of frass (fancy word for insect poop) on the mine floor - by Larry Halverson
It is hard to believe that there are creatures so small that they can live and grow between the upper and lower leaf surface and yet be visible to the human eye. Read more »
What's Up - Canadian Violet
Posted: May 27, 2013
Canadian Violet in the shaded woods along Sinclair Creek by Larry Halverson
The Canadian Violet is one of 13 species of violets found in Kootenay National Park. Read more »
Hummer Bummer
Posted: May 23, 2013
Black-chinned Humming Bird feeding by Susie MacDonald
Susie MacDonald sent another interesting photo taken this morning in Kimberley. She calls it a “Hummer Bummer”.I’m sure the hummingbirds along with locals were not expecting to wake up to snow. Read more »
Alien Boogers
Posted: May 22, 2013 
Gymnosporangium found in Columbia Lake Park by Susie MacDonald
Susie MacDonald sent Friends of Kootenay this photo of what looks like a glob of orange jelly in a juniper. It is actually a fungus known by mycologists as Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginianae or to orchidist as Cedar-Apple Rust. Read more »
