We had a good turnout of 10 members to our trip to Hill’s Homestead and other parts of Kane Valley near Merritt. Here are a few photos and notes from the outing. Scroll down to see photos and find the flower and plant lists.
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Nicola Naturalists climbing the hill at Hill’s Homestead, Kane Valley. 17 June 2017. Photo: ©Alan Burger
The attraction was the wildflowers – currently at peak flowering for most species. And we were not disappointed.
![](http://www.nicolanaturalists.ca/files/Scafe-Larkspur-Geranium-COMBO.jpg)
Upland Larkspur (Delphinium nuttalianum) [left] and Sticky Geranium (Geranium viscosissium). Photos: ©Bob Scafe
![](http://www.nicolanaturalists.ca/files/IMG_6213_21-shrubby-and-small-leafed-penstemon-COMBO.jpg)
A pair of penstemon species: Shrubby Penstemon (P. fructicosus) [left] and Small-flowered Penstemon (P. procerus) [right]. Photos: ©Alan Burger
![](http://www.nicolanaturalists.ca/files/IMG_6220_14-COMBO-death-camas-r_leafed-alumroot.jpg)
Meadow Death Camas (Zigadenus veneosus) [left] and Round-leafed Alumroot (Heuchera cylindrica) [right]. Photos: ©Alan Burger
And when the sun came out and it warmed up a bit, we also had butterflies:
![](http://www.nicolanaturalists.ca/files/Scafe-Silvery-and-W-tailed-Blue-COMBO.jpg)
A brace of blues: Silvery Blue (Glaucopsyche lygdamus) [left] and Western Tailed Blue (Cupido amyntula) [right] in Kane Valley, 17 June 2017. Photos: ©Bob Scafe
And lots of birds ….
![](http://www.nicolanaturalists.ca/files/IMG_6243-BaGo-f-c-ducklings-17JUN2017-sm-e1498025246424.jpg)
A female Barrow’s Goldeneye with 6 young ducklings – Hill’s Homestead pond, Kane Valley, 17 June 2017. Photo: ©Alan Burger
![](http://www.nicolanaturalists.ca/files/IMG_6334_36-COMBO-WiFl-17JUN2017.jpg)
Willow Flycatcher showing off his back and front sides. Kane Valley, 17 June 2017. Photos: ©Alan Burger
![](http://www.nicolanaturalists.ca/files/Scafe-Stowell-COMBO-ATTW-m-f.jpg)
We found a pair of American Three-toed Woodpeckers feeding chicks at a nest – male [left] and female [right], Kane Valley, 17 June 2017. Photos: ©Bob Scafe [L] and ©Bill Stowell [R]
But the real highlight of the day came right after lunch as we headed down into the old-growth forest on the Hill’s Homestead loop. Sitting right over the road was this huge bundle of feathers …..
It turned out to be a very cooperative Great Gray Owl. It allowed us to get great views and photos as it moved short distances from perch to perch.
Wow! Great sightings of a great bird.
Here are the flower and bird lists from this outing:
Flower list Kane Valley 17 June 2017
Bird List Kane Valley 17 June 2017