Western Painted Turtle - Chrysemys picta bellii

We found these turtles sunning themselves on a small pond.

The Western Painted Turtle is named after the bright yellow stripes on its head, neck, tail and legs, and the glowing red on its plastron (shell covering the belly) and under-edge of its carapace (shell covering the back).

Most adult Painted Turtles spend the winter hibernating in the mud at the bottom of ponds and lakes.  Once temperatures warm up and the ice leaves the water, Painted Turtle courtship begins.

In B.C., Painted Turtles are found in pockets throughout the southern interior, as far north as Golden.   This includes the Okanagan Valley, Kamloops Lake, Shuswap Lake, and the Creston and Nelson Area.

At present, the Western Painted Turtle is on the provincial blue list.  This means they are considered vulnerable to habitat loss, and susceptible to human and natural disturbances.  Habitat is being lost because of pollution and waterway interference due to damming, agriculture, and urbanization of waterfronts.

Wild Clematis in the forest after the rain

Filmed May 4, 2012 at Mission Creek Park...

The Wild Clematis was the first delicate flower we came upon. This one is mauve, but apparently there are also yellow ones. They grow in predominantly shaded areas in the forest, using other trees for structure. They do not have tendrils like most vines.

music by 03 - zero-project - 03 - Twilight poem

How to film wildlife - YouTube

Well almost, ducks on a path and a squirrel in the tree isn't really wildlife but it's still fun filming them and you never know what your going to catch.  I especially like the ducks waddling off at the end of the video...

There's really no secret to filming nature and wildlife, find a spot and stake it out and just wait.

Hummingbirds - YouTube HD

 Hummingbirds are birds that comprise the family Trochilidae. They are among the smallest of birds, most species measuring in the 7.5--13 cm (3--5 in) range. Indeed, the smallest extant bird species is a hummingbird, the 5-cm Bee Hummingbird.

 They can hover in mid-air by rapidly flapping their wings 12--80 times per second (depending on the species). They are also the only group of birds able to fly backwards.

 These are Christina Lake, BC Hummingbirds. These little birds are going to be facing eminent danger. British Columbia mountains are rapidly being stripped of forests for raw log exports to the USA & China. In addition to this, there is colossal devastation of our forests from the Pine Tree Beetles kill. Millions and millions of acres of pines trees, entire mountains - dead trees. These forests are the feeding grounds of these amazing little travelers. I so fear for their future.

 music by Kendra Springer 05 - Angela