~Column: Dianne Bersea
For most of us, starting over in a new community is challenging. Me? I was looking for opportunities to meet my new neighbours, human and wild, from the minute I moved to the South Okanagan fourteen years ago.
Although keen to make new friends, I felt especially concerned about encounters with natural entities like cactus, rattlesnakes and poisonous vegetation. Cactus was easy. Don鈥檛 wear sandals and remove cactus spines with a stick, not fingers. Long game, know where to look!
A similar policy applies to rattlesnakes! Thankfully there are good resources for important nature introductions.
Nk鈥橫ip Desert Cultural Centre rattlesnake program addressed specifics. Fortunately, I鈥檓 not in the demographic where foolishness leads to problems. I鈥檓 in later years, a teetotaller, with no inclination to show off for my buddies. But, always treat rattlers with respect. They require seasonal and locational awareness. And, don鈥檛 sit on a rock or log without checking underneath first!
鈥淟eaves in three, leave them be,鈥� gave me a poison ivy alert as it鈥檚 found along trail and road edges, often at bare ankle height!
Additional nature wisdom and new friends came with weekly South Okanagan Naturalists excursions. Friendly binocular slung folks introduced me to the birds, gave me lessons in dry land navigation and, shared the unexpected diversity of Okanagan flora and fauna.
Did you know the South Okanagan is one of the most diverse natural areas in BC, harbouring many endangered species? Sadly there are endangered species throughout the province.
That information energized me to find, see, and support nature in whatever way I can, resulting in some surprising discoveries. My first Great Horned Owl, an owly, focused bird, seemed undisturbed by my unintended proximity. I was equally thrilled by the appearance of an American Avocet, an orange, black, white stilt walking, long beaked shorebird passing through on migration.
Another treat鈥 GPS directed, hinterland grasslands adventure to find a lily so rare, I鈥檓 sworn to secrecy permanently. I鈥檓 fascinated too by the marvelous insects that slither, creep, crawl, flit and flutter.
Continued revelations come with thanks to the annual Meadowlark Nature Festival鈥檚 walking, hiking or biking tours to special natural areas, often with access to otherwise protected or private areas.
Even if just a brief exploration off-road, wonders await. It鈥檚 such a refreshing and affirming way to make friends of all kinds and all ages. Recent research indicates nature and forest walks to be stress-reducing, health restoring endeavors鈥un or shower, winter, spring, summer or fall.
It鈥檚 an excellent way to feel comfortable in a new community too. And good fun to share discoveries鈥 new trail, wonderful view, special time of year, or when certain trees are flowering.
One good friend insists on outdoor rambles when the mock orange trees are in extravagant bloom. We all lean in for its wonderful scent. There鈥檚 even been a flurry of phone calls to arrange a wetland visit some morning. We鈥檙e all in for a wonderland of colourful butterflies, dragonflies, birds and spring flowers. I鈥檓 looking forward to that!
