Announcing our 2011 Photo Contest Winners!

After judging this morning by staff, we are excited to announce our photo contest winners! There was a shortage of Teen entries, so extra prizes have been awarded in both the Child and Adult categories.

Child:

1^st – Rachel Gill - “Log Hook”

2^nd – Isaac Adams - “Samson”

3^rd – Isaac Adams - “Logging Truck”

4^th – Alex Meikle - “At the Throttles”

5^th – Alex Meikle - “Miniature Wheels”

6^th – Rachel Gill - “Maple Trees”

Teen:

1^st – Joanna Adams - “Somenos Trestle”

Adult:

1^st – John Fairfield - “The Trestle”

2^nd – Kelly Bannister - “Wow, Marsh Monsters!”

3^rd – Christine Roome - “Cousins Watching for the Train”

4^th – Felipe Baloran Jr. - Eccentricity of Woods”

5^th – John Farifield - “Filing Shop”

Prizes will be awarded as follows in each category:

First Place - $50.00

Second Place - $35.00

Third Place - $20.00

Fourth Place - $10.00

Winners will also receive an individual membership for the 2012 season.

Congratulations to everyone!

Coopers Hawks Spotted

Photo from: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/coopers_hawk/id

Two Coopers Hawks (Accipiter cooperii) have been spotted at the Centre over the past few weeks. Early in the morning they can be heard quite loudly as they cry while flying over the forest. Coopers Hawks are a forest bird. They are very acrobatic as they swerve between tree trunks and through the underbrush.

Their feather patterns are a distinctive speckling and striping. Dark markings on a light base colour on their underside. We are hoping our two are a breeding pair and they might be setting up our grounds as a future nesting site. They might have some territorial competition from the Eagles though... so we will see how that plays out!

The End is Near...

Summer is nearly over and the children head back to school in just a few days! One more week for you parents to fill with activities. Why not bring them by the Centre for a final hurrah on Samson, before he goes into hibernation for the fall?

The apples are ripening and ready to be picked, so bring a bag or a basket and fill up on some fresh fruit. Walk the forest trails and try to spot some new birds. Come take a look at our reconstructed logging camp - The new exhibit is almost ready!

The concession is still fully stocked with ice cream and other goodies. So come splurge on a sugar fix, and lick up your ice cream cone while cruising around the site. There is nothing better than Udder Guys Ice Cream!

We hope to see you in our final weeks of summer, and into the fall as well! Don't forget about our spooktacular sensation on the halloween weekend, and our annual Christmas Express event as well!

Day Two of the 2011 Antique Truck Show

Day Two of the truck show was pretty awesome. Not only was the temperature -slightly- lower, but we had a blast and visitors had a great time checking out the big rigs and smaller trucks.

Here are some photos, an artistic take, on the second day of the truck show.

Front end detail from the Diamond T Logging Truck. - Photo by Marcie Callewaert

Fargo Pickup Truck - Photo by Marcie Callewaert

Samson coming up the track towards Alderlea Station - Photo by Marcie Callewaert

We hope to see you next year for the next Antique Truck Show. Please feel free to register pre 1980's vehicles of your own! We love seeing new pieces of machinery in our show, and the visitors love it as well!

Day One of the 2011 Antique Truck Show

Day one of our truck show was a relative success with sunny skies, shiny trucks and a good crowd of folks out for the show!
More parades, hay rides and summer fun will be happening today with our second - and last - day of the Antique Vehicle Show! Steam rides on Samson, our 101 year old steam locomotive will be taking place every half hour starting at 11am with a lunch break at 1pm.

Truck on display at the Truck Show! - Photo by Marcie Callewaert

Trucks rolled in all morning in a large variety of shapes and sizes - as well as colours! There are a number of large vintage logging trucks - some of the earliest ones on the road too! These early logging trucks would have carried no more than one or three logs at a time! Not only were the logs just that big, but the trucks were too small to carry much more!

One of the earliest logging trucks - Only able to carry one to three logs at a time! Photo by Marcie Callewaert

Some of these trucks come from the Centre's collection of antique vehicles and many others have been brought to the show from businesses and private owners.

Detailing on a very large logging truck! - Photo by Marcie Callewaert

Duncan's first fire truck is on display in the field. It's minute size compared to some of the other nearby fire trucks is quite surprising! Hoses are piled in the back and a glowing red paint shimmers in the sun!

Hoses coiled in the back of Duncan's first fire truck - Photo by Marcie Callewaert

Honeymoon Bay Fire Truck - Photo By Marcie Callewaert

Steam vehicles are on display and being driven around our site by some wonderfully dedicated volunteers. The Mann Steam Wagon and Steam Roller are best buddies and they greet their big friend Samson at every opportunity.

The Mann Steam Wagon and Steam Roller steam up early in the morning. - Photo by Marcie Callewaert

New Activity at the BCFDC!

I think these two are needing some faces! Come out and fill them in for us! We would love to see your hilarious expressions - Post them on our facebook wall!

http://www.facebook.com/BCFDC

Antique Truck Show - Today!

See history in action at the BC Forest Discovery Centre's Antique Truck show in August.  Many rare trucks will be parading around the museum's 100-acre grounds during the antique truck show in August, giving visitors an opportunity to see the trucks operate.  Spend the day at the museum enjoying the truck parades (at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm both days) and riding Samson, the 1910 steam locomotive.  Have a picnic lunch from the concession, enjoy the indoor and outdoor exihbits, and take a walk on the forest and marsh trails.  A fun weekend for families and classic truck enthusiasts alike!

BCFDC Collection - Logging crummy. Used to take men to work in the forest and home at night to the camp - like a school bus! Photo by Marcie Callewaert

Honeymoon Bay Fire Truck - Photo by Marcie Callewaert

White Logging Truck - Photo by Marcie Callewaert

The new crossing guard beside the school house - Entrance to the Truck Show field! - Photo by Marcie Callewaert

Fawning over our Fawn

What a lame title... But this photo isn't!

This years seemingly only fawn walking the tracks towards the sawmill. - Photo by Marcie Callewaert

On a grosser note: The bullfrogs seem to love this late blooming summer as they are growing rapidly in Somenos lake. Some are still in the tadpole stage but others, such as the ones below, are looking more frog than tadpole!

Three bullfrogs under the trestle - Photo by Marcie Callewaert

Truck Show Preparations

The field where the truck show will take place. Parades and more happening this weekend! - Photo by Marcie Callewaert

This years truck show is almost here and preparations are under way! Trucks are being cleaned and taken down to the field today. New truck will be brought in to be shown off. There will be a whole range of trucks to see from fire trucks to logging trucks and even some pick up trucks. Its not too late to bring in an entry form and fee and show off your shiny truck. We would love to see it!

Even if you don't have a truck to show off, we would love to see you! Come out for some delicious ice cream, a hot day, and some shiny metal on our middle field behind the school house!

The Antique Truck show runs this Saturday and Sunday. Regular admission rate apply - and Samson is running every half hour from 11-4!

Washout - August 25th

Samson being sanded out at the beginning of the day. Thick clouds of black smoke show just how much soot builds up from one day's work! - Photo by Marcie Callewaert

Every month Samson needs a bath, a very thorough bath! Washout is the day that a steam train is taken out of service in order to be cleaned out and any required maintenance is done. Samson is due for his washout on August 25th. Therefore, the Green Hornet (Our vintage 1940's gas locomotive) will be out for a day.

Every day Samson is sanded out as he is brought back up the hill by the shop. This cleans any goop or residue out of the smoke stack. It doesn't clean out the fire box though and this is what washout will deal with.

So if you stop by on August 25th, You will get to ride the Green Hornet, because Samson will be boiler deep in sudsy water!

Canada Darner

Canada Darner at rest - Photo by Marcie Callewaert

The BCFDC is well known for its trains and trucks, but it also has a great deal of wildlife on site. The Canada Darner is a dragonfly species that many of you will be familiar with appearance wise. It has a brilliant blue colouring and the most amazing eyes you have ever seen! This one was spotted yesterday resting in the hot sun on the road past the Logging Camp, heading towards the Ranger Station.

"A Canada Darner (male) showing the hunting equipment of a darner--powerful thorax and wings (for fast and agile flight); large compound eyes (for tracking moving prey); and spiny legs (for capturing prey in flight). The colour and shape of the lateral thoracic stripes are important clues for species identification.


Even the smallest of our darners is over five centimetres long, and all are striped on the thorax and spotted on the abdomen with blue, green or yellow. Males almost always have blue abdominal spots. Females vary considerably, and in most species there are two or even three colour forms, one like the male, and others more green or yellow. For species identification, the colour of the face is useful, especially in males, and so is the colour of the horizontal line across the face. The shape and colour of the stripes on the sides of the thorax (lateral thoracic stripes) are critical. The shape of the terminal abdominal appendages in both the male and female, and the structure of the ovipositor (egg-laying organ) in the female are also important."  (http://www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/Natural_History/Insects-and-Relatives.aspx?id=258)

Old folklore behind the interesting name, Darner, can be found in this explanation:
"Darners probably got their name from the old superstition that they sew up the lips of naughty boys with their long slender abdomens -- the devil's darning needles. The origin of the name Aeshna, coined by the famous Danish entomologist Fabricius in the 18th century, is also lost in history. One intriguing explanation is that it's a printer's error for the Greek Aechma, a spear" (Cannings & Stuart 1977).

They are brilliant creatures and if you want a good place to spot one on your own, come and check out the Somenos Marsh trail one morning. Don't forget about our photo contest too! If you get an awesome photo on site, pick up an entry form in admissions. We want to see what you have seen on our amazingly multi-faceted site!

Site Updates

Well lots of work is getting done, as usual at the BC Forest Discovery Centre.

The boys are working hard on our new power saw exhibit and the regular Monday volunteer work party has been getting tons done! Here's a shot of the beginnings of the new boardwalk on the side of the post office to the post mistresses house / power saw exhibit.

Work being done on a new exhibit in the post mistresses house - Photo by Marcie Callewaert

Work is also being done on the skids for "Old Faithful". One of the oldest, if not the oldest donkey engine in BC logging history.  The old wood was beginning to rot out, so new skids are being put in place under the metal structure.

There are lots of critter updates - The fawn was spotted this morning. I got some photos, but haven't had a chance to get them up yet - tomorrow I will share them with you. There was a kingfisher on the trestle, fishing in the early morning light. And bullfrog tadpoles aplenty in Somenos Lake. This year looks like it agreed with them because there are more than ever in the murky waters. Here is a link to some of the work that is being done on Vancouver Island in regards to bullfrog removal: http://www.georgiabasin.ca/bullfrog.htm

We hope to see you soon when you come by to visit!

New Green Initiative!

Ride Samson and contribute to the environment by drinking out of a reusable travel mug at our concession! - Photo by Marcie Callewaert

Does a nice hot cup of coffee and a train ride sound appealing to you? How about some hot chocolate or tea? If you bring your own travel mug and fill up on one of these three delicious hot drinks you will receive 10% off your drink!

We are trying to reduce our waste in concession and with your help we could make a huge improvement!

Most people have a travel mug kicking around in their car or backpack, so bring it in and save at the BC Forest Discovery Centre!

Micheal Machek Illusionist Review

Micheal was awesome yesterday - His show was full of tantalizing tricks and subtle humour that appealed to the adults in the crowd. It was truly a show of entertainment for all ages. Micheal drew the kids in and brought them on stage, as is customary in most magic shows, to participate in hilarious tricks much to the crowds amusement. If you weren't here - you missed out!

Here are some photos from yesterdays performance!

"Here, hold these balloons!" *hands them to child without tying them* - Photo by Marcie Callewaert

"Pick a card, any card!" - Photo by Marcie Callewaert

"You mean it wasn't that card? How about this one?!" *Changes card without switching cards!* - Photo by Marcie Callewaert

The bottle disappeared! - Photo by Marcie Callewaert

"Do you know what is written on the back of this envelope?" "NO!" *gasp* You're right! - Photo by Marcie Callewaert

Micheal Machek Illusionist

Samson coming down the cut at our last Children's Performance! - Photo by Marcie Callewaert

I probably sound like I am repeating myself here... One of my recent blog posts was about this same topic. But hey, its a cool thing going on! Micheal is performing a magical illusion show at 1:30 TODAY at the BC Forest Discovery Centre.

As our website states:

"Micheal is a one man, entertainment dynasty, both magician and illusionist.  His ability to connect  and relate to his audience will amaze you, but you don’t just get amazed, you get spellbound, stricken with the art of magic and entertainment, and left with moments that will last a lifetime!"

Bring a lawn chair, blanket, or even a blow-up mattress and enjoy the show on your very own patch of grass. Bring an umbrella if the weather turns ugly because the show will go on!

Our candy concession is up and running again at the lower grounds with a child's fantasy world of goodies, and our usual treats (including ice cream!) are available at Train Station Treats at Alderlea Station.

Samson will be running every half hour with a break at 1:30. The last train to the performance stage is at 1:00 so don't be late!

~By Marcie Callewaert

Saturday Camp Life Tours

A look at the logging camp on a hot August day - Photo by Marcie Callewaert

With only a meager handful of Saturdays left this summer you don't have much time to take advantage of this great opportunity!  Every Saturday at 1pm, a staff member will be giving an in depth look at the history of our reconstructed logging camp. The original buildings each have a story of their own, as well as the history of the displays inside them. Explore the cook house and find out just how much a logger ate each day and test out their beds in the bunkhouse!

Tours meet Saturdays at 12:50 in front of the schoolhouse. There is no additional charge - it is just one of the many great experiences offered at the BC Forest Discovery Centre! Tours are limited to approximately 12 participants. The buildings get pretty crowded with a larger group than that!

Kids Performance Series - Micheal Machek Illusionist

Come one, Come all for the third performance in our Children's Performance Series! Micheal Machek will astound you with a magical one hour family show packed full of fantastic tricks, hilariously outrageous comedy and breathtaking miracles.

If this sounds like your kind of thing... come out and bring the kids for a steam train ride or ten and a picnic at the park. Enjoy the performance on a bench or at a picnic table, or bring a soft blanket and sit on the grass!

Don't miss this great opportunity to see a great show at the lower grounds with our newly decorated stage.

General Site Updates

The cogs are moving on new projects at the BCFDC! - Photo by Marcie Callewaert

The crew at the BCFDC are a busy bunch, always with new projects on the go. Recently the Forest Fire Lookout Tower was repainted, with some help from a great bunch of guys - The Thunderbird Firefighting Crew from Port Alberni. They also assisted on the repainting of the Ranger Station - which had a new roof installed last summer. The maintenance guys at the centre have done a great job finishing off the trim work on the station. Hopefully the exhibits in the Ranger Station will soon be open to the public again.

Fire Crew repainting the Ranger Station - Photo by Marcie Callewaert

A unique view of the work that was done on the Forest Fire Lookout Tower - Photo by Marcie Callewaert

The concession received a facelift this season, with an expansion on the kitchen area and the introduction of some new products, such as candy bags, chocolate bars and UDDER GUYS ICE CREAM! The best of the best is here with the locally made Udder Guys Ice Cream, based out of Cowichan Bay. Concession has also been given a well deserved coat of paint ( it seems like were dealing with an awful lot of that liquid) by the guys and summer staff.

If you have not already noticed on one of your recent visits, Concession has also been opened up to the parking lot so that visitors may come and watch the train without coming paying admission to the site. They can also purchase ice cream and other products from concession from this area as well! The new picket fence was constructed out of recycled timber and painted by the summer students (mostly).

That wonderful "P" word is about to come up again... The Glynne Jones building is getting a fresh coat of paint on its windowsills and doors to match the crisp new paint on the nearby concession. This is still in progress, so don't look for miracles by tomorrow!

So lots of painting is going on... as well as construction on a new exhibit behind the post office. The guys are busy dry-walling and restructuring the building in preparation for the power saw exhibit soon to come!

This morning, right beside the aforementioned new exhibit, the fawn was spotted. The lil' guy was chomping down on some grass in the shade of one of our old apple trees. He is about 2 feet tall already at the shoulder and still has his gorgeous spots on a velvety soft looking coat! A flock of quail were also seen on the Somenos Marsh trail - two adults and about 8 youngsters cheeped away as they scurried into the brush. 

There is always work to be done and critters to spot at the BC Forest Discovery Centre. We hope to see you out soon to see our sharp new look and to visit our wonderful and diverse plethora of creatures!

~By Marcie Callewaert

BCFDC Photo Contest!

We are excited to announce the BCFDC’s 2011 photo contest! This contest will feature YOUR photos from our site and the winning entries will be published in a 2012 calendar! People of all ages and abilities are invited to enter as there are three categories: Child (0-12 years), youth (13-19) and adults (20+). There are a wide range of subjects available at the museum; from landscapes and nature, to historic artifacts and machinery and we are hoping for a large variety of entries.

Red Eared Slider Turtle at the Somenos Marsh - Photo by Marcie Callewaert

The top four photos from each category will be selected and published in a 2012 calendar. Participants may enter one or two photos, but may only enter in one age category. Entry fees are $5.00 for one photo and $7.00 for 2 photos.

Staff members will judge the photos, which must be submitted by August 31^st at 4pm and the top 12 photos will be included in a 2012 calendar. The calendar will be sold in the Centre’s Gift Shop during the Halloween and Christmas events. 

There will be cash prizes for first, second third and fourth place in each category.

More information is available at the admissions desk, where you can pick up your entry form and get more information on the contest rules.

We hope to see your entries soon!

Spotlight on No. 27 "Handy Andy"

Crown Zellerbach Canada Crew Speeder (CVR No.27)

 No.27,  or "Handy Andy" as we like to call him, is operational and supplements the passenger train on busy days during the open season and transports special groups during the off season. The enclosed car is a replica speeder and would have been used in a logging camp to transfer loggers between the camp and the logging show (where the work was taking place).

Technical Data:

• Description: 8-wheel, model “Handy Andy” crew speeder.
• Built: 1940
• Gauge: narrow (36 inches).
• Current engine: Ford 360 cu in V-8.

History:

• CVR No.27 was speeder No.6 on the BCER Jordan River railway. Records show it was a Westminster Iron Works “Handy Andy” design built to BCER specifications.
• Following closure of the railway, it came to be owned by Crown Zellerbach, likely acquired specifically for donation to the (then) Cowichan Valley Forest Museum. After a re-work at the BC Forest Service Maintenance Depot, at which time it was converted from 4 to 8 wheels, it was donated in July of 1974.
• This speeder is typical of those used in the later years of railway logging to transport workers and materials to and from job sites. In the case of the more remote camps, they also transported workers and their families between camp and town. Capable of speeds of up to 45 miles per hour, they were much faster and more comfortable than hitching a ride with the usually slow moving log trains.
• Many logging speeders were built to Department of Railway standards at the company repair shop, by the camp master mechanic. While most service was as a railway bus (crummy) and ambulance, some also worked as light locomotives.

Neat Photos from around the BCFDC

Marsh grasses illuminated by the morning sun - Photo by Marcie Callewaert

In spirit with the BCFDC's 2011 photo contest, I have compiled some neat shots of the flora and fauna at the Centre, to give just one idea of what type of subject matter you could capture! There is an abundance of critters big and small on site, and any one of them could be the subject of YOUR winning entry!

Photo contest rules and entry forms can be picked up at the Admissions desk during open hours. Cash prizes for first through fourth place will be awarded in each category. Categories include Youth (0-12 years), Teen (13-19 years) and Adult (20+).  The submission deadline for photos is Wednesday, August 31st 2011. We look forward to your entries! 

Enjoy the following photos and get inspired!

Butterfly on the gravel path of the Somenos Marsh Walk - Photo by Marcie Callewaert

A unique photo showing a "staff only" view of the trestle. One of the benefits of being a staff or volunteer at the Centre is the ability to go places visitors cannot - due to extra training and knowledge about operation protocols.  - Photo by Marcie Callewaert

Foxgloves, one of many species of wildflowers on site, beside the Blacksmith Shop - Photo by Marcie Callewaert

Snowing cottonwood! - Photo by Marcie Callewaert

Marsh plants at the edge of the Somenos Marsh - Photo by Marcie Callewaert

Antique Truck Show 2011

Logging Crummy at the 2010 Antique Truck Show! - Photo by Marcie Callewaert

The huge success of last year's Antique Truck Show has led to another event this summer! On Saturday and Sunday, August 20th and 21st the 2nd Annual Antique Truck Show will be held at the BC Forest Discovery Centre. Seventy vintage vehicles were on site last year and many were featured in live parades around the site.

This event highlights the involvement of lumbering and logging vehicles in the development of the forest industry in the Cowichan region and coastal British Columbia. Visitors can get close up and personal with the machinery!

The Centre has added a cool new piece of equipment to it's collection this year with the donation of a 1952 Chevy by Ken McKinnon. This truck is the original Pacific Builder's delivery truck and has been restored to pristine condition.  You will be able to see it at the truck show representing the lumber industry in British Columbia.

Other activities happening at the truck show include hay rides for the kids and steam train rides leaving Alderlea Station every half hour from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Antique truck owners wishing to participate in this event may find more information on the website at http://discoveryforest.com/ or by calling 250.715.1113

~By Marcie Callewaert

BC Day Fun in the Sun!

 The sun was out for BC Day, and so were the clowns! Sparkle and Sweezie entertained young and old with their creative lyrics and fantastic costumes!

The next performance from the Children's performance series will be on Sunday, August, 14th with Micheal Machek Illusionist!

Here are some photos from their energetic performance!

Sparkle and Sweezie performing on our wonderfully decorated stage at the lower grounds! - Photo by Marcie Callewaert

Osprey Sightings!

 An osprey has been regularly spotted at the Centre over the past week. It has been seen perched on a tree at the south end of the trestle, flying overhead and enjoying a meal on a dead tree over the duck pond. The BCFDC is a great site for wildlife watching. Our proximity to the Somenos Marsh provides a great location for sightings of all types. There are reports of a momma deer with a fawn hanging around as well!

Here are some photos taken of this magnificent bird from last week.

The osprey staring straight at me while enjoying his meal! - photo by Marcie Callewaert

Overlooking the surrounding marsh - Photo by Marcie Callewaert

A california quail was also spotted along the tracks just opposite the Somenos Marsh Interpretive Sign.

A male california quail rests in the sun - Photo by Marcie Callewaert

Happy BC Day!

Morning fog over Mt Tzhouhalem-  Photo by Marcie Callewaert

Happy BC Day everyone! We are celebrating in full party-mode with Sparkles and Sweezy the clowns, a bouncy castle, face painting and a kids craft!  Come by for a fun day and a ride or five on Samson, our 101-year old steam locomotive!

The children's performance begins at 1:30 on the stage at the lower grounds, but other festivities are beginning earlier in the day! Come early and bring a blanket or some lawn chairs and set up on the grass for a great performance. A candy concession will be open at the lower grounds as well.

Hope to see you soon!

~By Marcie Callewaert

Introducing Joey the Crow!

Joey resting in the shade in his favourite spot - Photo by Marcie Callewaert

Joey is a fledgling crow that apparently fell out of his nest last week. Recently he has been hanging out on the tracks behind the bunkhouses. His parents feed him frequently and he does not seem to be in distress so we have left him undisturbed. Every time the locomotive comes around though, he hops off the tracks at the very last second - giving the engineer quite a scare sometimes when he cuts it a little too close!

Peter has nicknamed him Joey - and so he has been dubbed by the other staff members! Above is a photo of Joey, yesterday morning, resting on the tracks in the shade.

********* UPDATE*********

August 8, 2011

Joey is no longer hanging out on the tracks - which was a rather dangerous place for him to be! Though we don't know for sure that he has learned to fly.... I have lately seen an extra bird in the sky....

~By Marcie Callewaert

Eagle Update!

Juvenile Eagle in a tree overlooking the Somenos Marsh - Photo by Marcie Callewaert

Juvenile Eagle atop a tree at the lower grounds- Photo by Marcie Callewaert

Adult Eagle parent of the three eaglets - Photo by Marcie Callewaert

This year the BC Forest Discovery Centre played host to three eaglets, successfully hatched on the lower grounds. These parent eagles have been building their nest here for many years. This is not their first successful batch - but it is still exciting! Two eaglets are definitely out of the nest and flying, and we believe one is still in the nest. They can be several weeks apart in their development. The two that are flying are mostly past their awkward flying stage, but can still be a bit wobbly at times!

Eaglets are larger than their parents for a while as they rapidly shoot up. They are like humans though, and shrink a little as they age! They will not reach maturity, and grow in their signature white heads and tails, until 5 or 6 years of age.

Stop by the BCFDC for a steam train ride and trip back in history in our reconstructed logging camp, and maybe you will glimpse one of nature's most majestic creatures soaring through the sky!