We’re back at Ellison Provincial Park at Okanagan Lake in Vernon BC for another photo shoot. There is something special about this park and its natural features. With the right lighting, the red beach sands and the turquoise water look exotic. With the main gate closed during the winter months, access to the water is on foot past the gate via the main road straight down. The park map at the visitor’s info station does not feature a “You are here” graphic on its map, but heading on trails due west is the best course to follow.
Ellison Park features some interesting rock formations throughout the area. Ponderosa Pine trees grow everywhere, some seemingly right on the rocks. The main paved trail leads straight down to an area with wash rooms and picnic tables. From there two beautiful coves on Okanagan Lake can be accessed. Straight ahead are massive boulders inviting for a scramble. caution is advised as some sharp drops offer an involuntary plunge into the lake! At the bottom rest area, we spotted a warning about cougar sightings in the park.
Many rough rock outcrops are found throughout Ellison Park. Bunch Grass, Oregon Grape bushes, Ponderosa Pine and Douglas Fir make up for most of the vegetation. In spring, snakes and ticks come alive. Western and south facing rock outcrops can make for ideal snake dens. The Northern Pacific Rattlesnake occurs in the Okanagan, Kettle, Nicola, Thompson and Fraser River watersheds.
Snakes are most common on dry hillsides. There are two kinds of ticks in the Thompson-Okanagan that can cause harm to people, and one of them can cause temporary paralysis. Once the snow melts, ticks start showing up in the region as early as February. They both will be found on humans mostly on the scalp, he said. Ticks will find hosts by climbing to the tops of tall grass to hitch a ride. To remove a tick, use tweezers slid underneath and atop the insect’s back followed by a gentle pull back.
A few tips to avoid surprises with snakes: ▪ Wear protective footwear, such as rubber or high leather boots and pants when working in tall grass or cluttered areas. ▪ Move slowly and be observant if you are in an area where rattlesnakes are likely to be present (rocky talus, open grasslands and wetlands). ▪ Step around, not over debris, as a snake could be on the other side. ▪ Never put hands some place where you cannot see if a snake is present. ▪ Never harass a snake; they may bite if threatened. ▪ If you encounter one, leave it alone.
Close at the lake in a dead tree, a Pileated Woodpecker is whacking wildly to catch his favourite food – carpenter ants. These woodpeckers are some of the biggest, most striking forest birds on the continent. It’s nearly the size of a crow, black with bold white stripes down the neck and a flaming-red crest.
Sharp drops on the very edge of the rocks at the lake can be treacherous. The scene in the photo is misleading as the abyss really is straight down. The rocks seen on the lake bottom are actually huge boulders. In the summer, all of these ledges are cluttered with people seeking the best sunbathing spots.
Ellison Park has a rich cultural history. In the mid 1990’s, arrowhead shards were found on one of the beaches. Kekuli pits are evidence of early First Nations inhabitants. A laid-back paradise for nature lovers awaits visitors from near and far. At Ellison Park you can enjoy camping, hiking, biking, rock climbing, swimming, scuba diving and more.
It’s amazing to see some of the pines that find the smallest of dirt on the rocks and insist to make a living there. The ability of these trees to grow on rocks showcases the ingenuity of nature to thrive in challenging environments by utilizing available resources . Pine trees have evolved specialized root systems that enable them to access nutrients and water from unlikely sources.
The park also conserves habitat for wildlife including deer, Columbian ground squirrels, red squirrels, porcupines, snakes including the rare rubber boa, and many reptile, amphibian and bird species.
On the way back to Vernon, we spotted this pair of Bald Eagles in a tree just off the road which added to the highlights of this outing..
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