On October 9, Laurie Rockwell, Ecological Reserve warden for Trout Creek ER , joined Garry Fletcher and Niran Lella to guide us through the Trout Creek Ecological Reserve near Summerland. Laurie makes regular visits to the reserve and has excellent cooperation with the local area BC Parks personnel in the management of the reserve. His warden reports are carried on this site. The photographs in this gallery have been taken by Niran and Garry. Thanks to Laurie Rockwell for help with the identification.
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- Laurie Rockwell examines a bluebird house at the entrance to the reserve.
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- Garry and Laurie at the entrance to the reserve.
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- A preying mantis of the introduced species (Sphodromantis viridis)was on the path to the reserve.
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- A well constructed gate at the reserve.
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- The largest Ponderosa Pine on the reserve at 95 cm DBH.
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- Clark’s Nutcracker, Nucifraga columbiana. Niran took this picture on our way to the reserve. These birds eat the seeds of the Ponderosa Pine.
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- An area where research was done by Dr. Cindy Prescot on leaf litter and rate of decomposition in relation to nitrogen release.
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- Cover on the forest floor.
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- The fuzzy seed heads on rabbit brush, (Ericameria nauseosa).
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- One of 4 sages on the reserve: A.frigida, A.dranunculus (Tarragon) and A.capmestris.
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- Seed capsules of the Mariposa Lily, (Calochortus elegans)
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- Seed heads of gallardia.
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- Wavyleaf thistle, (Cirsium undulatum (Nutt.) Spreng.) native to the area.
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- Very young White Clematis, (Clematis lingusticifolia).
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- The introduced White Clematis, in the pine canopy. (Clematis lingusticifolia.)
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- Evidence of Coyote in the reserve.
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- Laurie and Niran overlook the valley with Trout Creek in the bottom.
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- Laurie Rockwell in his Ecological Reserve.
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- Prickly Phlox, (Liananthus pungens).
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- Snowy buckwheat in bloom.
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- (3) Indian wheat ( Plantago patagonia)
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- Garry and fallen pine.
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- Wolf Lichen (Letharia vulpina)
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- Bright green wolf lichen on a fallen pine.
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- Ground made spongy by pocket gopher tunnels.
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- Bluebunch wheatgrass. (Pseudoroegneria spicata )
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- Deeply grooved bark.
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- The dried up leaves of Saskatoon (Amelanchier alnifolia).
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- ?
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- The remains of an Arrow leafed Balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata). This is a common plant in the reserve.
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- View to the west side of the reserve.
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- The black “Step-mouse” moss.
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- Waxy Current, (Ribes cereum).
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- Ponderosa pine forest. photo by Niran Lella
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- Cones under Ponderosa Pines
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- Juvenile Rocky Mountain Juniper.
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- Reddish coloured pine trees, the result of pine beetle infection.
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- Drift of pine cones
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- Arrow-leaved Balsamroot, (Balsamohrhiza sagittata)
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- Columbia Goldenweed, (Pyrocomma carthamoides).
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- Shrubby Penstemon , Pentstemon fruiticosus.
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- Showy Milkweed, (Asclepias speciosa).
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- Narrow -leaved Brikellia, (Brikellia oblongifolia).
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- Pine beetle infected pine.
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- Ponderosa Pine
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- Pine infected with mistletoe.
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- Under the bark of Ponderosa Pine.
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- Three-tipped Sage,(Artemesia tridentata), one of the only 2 plantsLaurie has found on the reserve.
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- Base of talus slope.
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- Looking up the talus cliff to the highest point in the reserve.
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- Decomposition.
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- Distorted stem of pine.
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- Climbing up the ridge.
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- Cactus,(Opuntia sp.)
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- Selaginella sp.
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- Yellow rattle (Rhianthus minor} was not seen here two years ago and now it is well established.
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- Seed capsules of yellow rattle, Rhianthus minor
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- View to the south from the highest elevation in the Ecological reserve.
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- Okanagan Lake from the top of the reserve.
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- View to the south over the valley of the creek.
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- Garry and Laurie looking over the golf course.
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- Climbing the steep fence line.
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- Steep climb along north fence line.
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- Fence line.
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- Rabbit brush near the reserve fence.
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- Laurie and Garry in the bluebunch wheat grass.
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- Boundary marker.
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- Checking the fenceline along the lower boundary.
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- North east corner of the reserve
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- Laurie Rockwell and Garry Fletcher at one of the Ecological Reserve signs.
