Spring Wildflowers in their prime along the Tsolum River in Courtenay

by Keith and Heather Nicol

   On Thursday, April 4 we decided to take a break from skiing at Mount Washington to check the fawn lilies and other wildflowers along the Tsolum River in Courtenay. Although much of the winter was colder than normal in the Comox Valley, the last couple of weeks have seen some record breaking temperatures so we weren’t sure what to expect. But we weren’t disappointed! 

Fawn Lilies are delicate spring wildflowers

  There were carpets of fawn lilies and trilliums in bloom along the trails which really brightened up our walk. These trails are located behind the Exhibition Grounds off of Headquarters Road in Courtenay and there is lots of parking. Take the main access trail (really a road) toward the river and we found many clusters of fawn lilies on the trails to the right near the river. You don’t need to walk very far before you see the flowers in bloom along the trail and under the trees.

A Trillium surrounded by Fawn Lilies

  We are not sure how long they will last but if like early spring flowers check out this area and don’t forget to bring your camera. If you are into pictures you might want to bring a tripod and something to kneel on since the carpets of flowers are best photographed low to the ground and the ground can be wet. Another bonus of our walk was siting a pileated woodpecker working away on a tree. 

We heard calls of a couple of Pileated Woodpeckers and managed to see this one fairly close