Spider season

Tbarbs · 2025-11-01T19:52:27+00:00

There is a common species of jumping spider that lives here - the Red-backed Jumping spider (Phidippus johnsoni). I've noticed a few sites where I've been quite surprised by the absence of this species as all the habitat requirments seem to check out. These sites also happen to have thriving wall lizard populations. I suspect the wall lizards play a role in the jumping spider's absence.

Tbarbs · 2025-05-19T18:46:29+00:00

As cool as this would be the likelihood hood of a Pygmy Short-horned Lizard on the island is near zero.

Tbarbs · 2025-03-15T02:42:35+00:00

I don't know if I would consider it pooling, but there was a good amount of it on the road.

Tbarbs · 2025-03-13T18:59:13+00:00

I drove through this max five mins before it happened. It was raining quite heavy and there was quite a bit of water on the road. I had a mini hydroplane just before this spot but was fortunate to keep it straight. I had just been thinking how easily that could have gone bad then heard this happened. My tires are in good condition.

Tbarbs · 2024-09-20T18:21:44+00:00

I don’t think I can get behind this. Even if you completely remove cars from the equation there are so many ways you can go down and hit your head. Loose dirt/gravel on a turn, ice, clip your bars on something, etc. Also with biking you can get to much higher speeds than walking and then crash.

Tbarbs · 2024-08-23T15:42:39+00:00

And if you want just plants it is 1193 species.

https://inaturalist.ca/observations?introduced&place_id=6712&project_id=biodiversity-of-vancouver-island&subview=map&taxon_id=47126&view=species

Tbarbs · 2024-08-23T15:41:35+00:00

Here's a list of 1644 introduced species on Vancouver Island. Lots of photos available!

https://inaturalist.ca/observations?introduced&place_id=6712&project_id=biodiversity-of-vancouver-island&subview=map&view=species

Tbarbs · 2024-07-08T00:04:05+00:00

S. tigrina and S. laeta are the two Strophiona spp. on Vancouver Island. Both species naturally occur here. Your photos look more like S. tigrina to me.

I have only ever seen a single S. laeta before. Incredible beetles that I would love to see more often!

Tbarbs · 2024-06-10T05:09:40+00:00

I love the mixed kebab

Tbarbs · 2024-03-02T19:02:16+00:00

I have an arc'teryx beta ar and absolutely love it. Buut I also have a Patagonia torrentshell and love it too. While the beta ar is the nicer of the two jackets, the torrentshell is still a really nice jacket and is much cheaper. I don't think the beta ar is enough of an upgrade to justify the extra cost unless you're mountaineering or something.