Exploring and documenting BC’s old-growth forests and the impacts of industrial logging on the ground is a monumental task, especially in more remote areas. One can spend days, weeks, months, driving logging roads in search of the next giant tree - or giant clearcut - and you still wouldn't be able to see it all. So when Nick Temos of the Pacific Northwest Collective approached me to with the idea to have the Ancient Forest Alliance collaborate with his group on conservation issues - which included the amazing opportunity to fly over these landscapes - I jumped at it. After meeting for coffee and discussing potential endangered areas to focus on over summer, Nick suggested we get up in the air that afternoon to practice shooting some photos and communicating ideas. Our route took us from Victoria over Duncan, up the Cowichan Valley and over the Nitinat Lake region, including the Nitinat Triangle, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, Cheewhat Lake, Oyees Lake, and Doobah Lake. We also spent some time over the Klanawa Valley, documenting the devastating impacts of old-growth logging by Western Forest Products. I'm hugely grateful for Nick and the Pacific Northwest Collective's interest in furthering conservation efforts from a birds-eye-view. Expect to see the results of many more flights in the near future!
Forests
Snapshot: Roosevelt Elk near Port Renfrew
Near the town of Port Renfrew on Vancouver Island's west coast, Roosevelt elk, the Island's largest mammal, can often be found grazing in the estuaries of the San Juan and Gordon Rivers. It's such a peaceful experience sitting and watching from forest edge as these humble animals go about their daily lives. The rainforests of the pacific northwest are home to some of the most beautiful natural scenes on Earth.
Canon 5D MKII, 70-200 f.4 IS (This scene left me wishing for a longer telephoto lens!)
Press: Old-Growth Logging In Walbran Could Trigger Protests
Times Colonist article on recent logging developments in the Upper Walbran Valley. Read here: http://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/old-growth-logging-in-walbran-could-trigger-protests-group-1.1962233
Exposed: Logging in the Walbran Valley - Vancouver Island
I've been a little absent from posting on here over the last while but I've been out in the field shooting a lot and gathering new work. I'll be playing catch up over the next few weeks, sharing with you images of the large-scale old-growth logging that still continues here on Vancouver Island. About 75% of the original, productive old-growth forests have already been logged on BC’s southern coast, including over 90% of the valley-bottom ancient forests where the largest trees grow - we have very little time left to save what remains. By continuing to capture and share these photos and maps, I hope to put a tangible face to these remote but incredible valleys and groves. Today's post features old-growth logging by Western Forest Products up road W730 in the Walbran Valley.
Press: Global BC News Coverage of Echo Lake Eagles
Global BC News has now covered the campaign to protect the old-growth forests of Echo Lake on the Lower Mainland! Their focus is on the bald eagles, of which hundreds often roost in the giant Douglas-fir trees around the lake. I was able to provide Global with some eagle footage that I've shot over the past few years. It's always been painfully cold while filming them in winter so I'm happy to see the efforts pay off :) They've also included a gallery with some of my images at the bottom of the article. Follow the link to check it out! http://globalnews.ca/news/1906359/clear-cutting-threatens-echo-lake-eagle-colony/
Press: Globe & Mail Coverage - Echo Lake Campaign
Yesterday's Globe and Mail featured one of my eagle images along with a story on our campaign to protect the old-growth forests around Echo Lake near Vancouver, the world's largest night roosting site for bald eagles. About 60% of the ancient forests around the lake were protected from logging in 2013 but the remaining 40% are still at risk. In 2014 we hosted a "Bio-Blitz" which resulted in the discovery of some rare and endangered species as well. It's high time that the BC government steps in to protect this incredible ecological treasure.
• Read the Bio-Blitz press release here: www.ancientforestalliance.org/news-item.php?ID=868
• Read the Globe and Mail article here: www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/race-is-on-to-save-fraser-valleys-bald-eagles-echo-lake-old-growth-forest/article23576358/
Field Trip: Tofino Tour & Meares Island's Big Trees
While visiting Tofino last weekend, my partner Jackie and I were treated to a fantastic little boat tour by local photographer Jeremy Koreski. Not only is Jeremy a highly talented photographer but he's also a very kind and generous human as well. On his new boat, we zipped around the Tofino coastline before getting dropped off for a hike on Meares Island's Big Tree Trail. The forest there truly lives up to its name. Clayoquot Sound is in a class of its own and I hope to spend more time there this year exploring its wild reaches. Big thanks to Jer for the tour and congrats to him as well on success in the Capturing the Coast contest :) Here are some shots from the day.
A young bald eagle takes flight near Meares Island in Clayoquot Sound.
Press: Mountain Life Magazine Feature
Mountain Life Magazine has published a little feature on the new Ancient Forest Alliance documentary along with some questions and answers from friend and filmmaker Darryl Augustine. You can check out the article and view the short film (which highlights some of the conservation photography work I do) here: http://www.mountainlifemag.ca/2015/01/saving-giants-ancient-forest-alliance/ It was great to work with Darryl on this - especially with the RED Epic camera - and I highly recommend him for any of your video needs! Very professional, kind, and talented individual.
Looking towards Big Lonely Doug from the top of a giant redcedar stump clearcut in the Gordon River Valley near Port Renfrew in 2012.