Old-Growth Coastal Douglas-fir Forest

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This photo is a tribute to the great old-growth Coastal Douglas-fir forests that once covered most of eastern Vancouver Island. Now ranked as the 4th most endangered ecosystem in all of Canada and home to many rare plant and animal species, I hope the last remaining stands will be preserved in more that just photographs. Knowing that, the chances of capturing this image are very slim. First, you need to find an intact old-growth area and with less than 1% of that remaining, it is sadly quite difficult. Since forests are not typically neat and tidy places you'll rarely have a lovely bed of ferns perfectly set in front of  giant trees as well. Asking for the sun to then set over the whole scene would be over-the-top but somehow it all came together for this moment in Metchosin. Magic in the woods.

Winter Sunrise in Metchosin

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Winter is a lovely time to photograph sunrise, the best part being that it occurs at nearly 8am instead of 4:30am. The view from Tower Point at the end of Duke Rd. in Metchosin never fails to impress.  Here's a look through an old Oak tree from this cool winter morning. The second shot is from exact same view but was made by swinging the camera during the long exposure :)

"Seeing the Forest for the Trees" - Photo Exhibit 2011

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My joint photo exhibit Seeing the Forest for the Trees has just come to a close after two great weeks on display at Dales Gallery in Victoria's Chinatown. The show, featuring forest themed images from myself and local photographer Don Denton, saw hundreds of people come through and was even featured on Shaw TV's "The Daily".  This was my first full gallery showing and I'm stoked to do it again! Below are some shots from the exhibit and the opening night launch. Thanks to everyone who came by to take a look and to those who purchased prints! Full proceeds from my images are going to the Ancient Forest Alliance.

Thank you to Alison at Dales Gallery for hosting the show!

A big thanks also goes to Toby Trembath from Newport Reality for sponsoring the costs of the large canvas prints and to Terry from ArtBox for doing the actual printing.

Opening night reception - what an awesome evening!

The opening night also featured the launch of the new Ancient Brown Ale - a beer custom made for the Ancient Forest Alliance after winning the Phillips 2011 "Benefit Brew" contest!

Don Denton's photographs on display. Click here to see his blog post on the exhibit!

My image of  "Canada's Gnarliest Tree" in the Avatar Grove.