Road Trip 2025 - Botanical Beach - Part 2

In my last post, Botanical Beach Part 1 introduced you to the wonderful world of tidal pools carved into sandstone that we found in Juan de Fuca Park near Port Renfrew along the Pacific Marine Circle Route on the western side of Vancouver Island. 

Botanical Beach, 2025, Juan de Fuca Park, Vancouver Island, BC

It's fascinating to realize that marine life lives in tidal pools that are covered by water for hours at a time, and then exposed to air when the tide is out. Twice a day, tide in, tide out, every day, as directed by the moon. Incredulous, really. So what treasures are hidden in the pools?

Botanical Beach, 2025, Juan de Fuca Park, Vancouver Island, BC

Tidal pools hold a myriad of life. Green anemone and purple sea urchins such as in the above photo live beside mussels and shells in this pool. I suspect the orange colour is a velvety red sponge, but since I'm not a marine biologist, it may even be an egg mass. And then there are the surprises, such as the dwarf mottled henricia of the sea star family. Can you see it near the purple sea urchin? I'll give you a closeup in the next image.

Botanical Beach, 2025, Juan de Fuca Park, Vancouver Island, BC

The dwarf mottled henricia is a sea star that is only 2 inches across and looks so small beside the 4 to 6 inch purple sea urchins nearby. And it's positively tiny when compared to the purple sea stars we found on our 1981 trip to Gabriola Island in the Strait of Georgia on the east side of Vancouver Island. Back then, we called them starfish and they were plump purple and reddish creatures the size of a human adult male's large hand. There were masses of them when the tide went out. 

Purple Sea Star, 1981, Gabriola Island, BC

When I was researching for our 2025 BC trip, I looked for best places to find the purple sea star. It was then that I discovered that back in 2013 the Pacific Ocean and waters connected to it, such as the Salish Sea near the Botanical Beach, and into the Strait of Georgia, warmed to such a degree that we lost a huge percentage of our sea star population due to a bacteria that caused sea star wasting disease. 

Purple Sea Stars, 1981, Gabriola Island, BC

The sea stars are recovering, and you may find them in abundance when the tide goes out on some beaches, but not to the extent we saw back in 1981 when the tide went out and a beautiful display of purple sea stars covered the island shore.

Botanical Beach, 2025, Juan de Fuca Park, Vancouver Island, BC

Jessie found an interesting tidal pool with purple sea urchins, limpets, gooseneck barnacles, mussels, and a little mossy chiton. You have to look close to see the mossy chiton as it's the green oval creature in the upper right part of the image to the right of the purple sea urchin. Due to its shape, it reminded me of a dust mop, but I recognized it from a video Nelson had taken of a couple other chitons.

Botanical Beach, 2025, Juan de Fuca Park, Vancouver Island, BC

In the above collage:

Upper left: The mossy chiton from Jessie's photo shows the mossy, rubber-like hairs that cover the flesh on either side of its 8 armour-like plates.

Lower left: A mossy chiton snuggled in a watery rock abscess in another of Jessie's photos.

Right side top and bottom: Screenshots from Nelson's video that shows 2 mossy chitons. Both are partly submerged, and both show their poo pellets. 

Botanical Beach, 2025, Juan de Fuca Park, Vancouver Island, BC

This image of Nick pointing into a tidal pool attracted me because of the textured sandstone bottom. It reminded me of the textured bottom of the pools in the Japanese Garden that we visited on our tour of the Butchart Gardens a few posts ago. Upon zooming in to where Nick was pointing, I saw a mossy chiton similar to the one in the bottom left of the mossy chiton collage above. 

Botanical Beach, 2025, Juan de Fuca Park, Vancouver Island, BC

In the foreground of the above photo, aggregating anemones seem to be guarding the tidal pool. These anemones live in colonies and paralyze their prey with stinging cells on their tentacles. It's one reason you should never explore a tidal pool by hand. Also shown are limpets clinging to the rocky walls, mussels lining the bottom, and graceful coral seaweed clinging to the wall near the top of the photo. 

Botanical Beach, 2025, Juan de Fuca Park, Vancouver Island, BC

I found the above image of seaweeds fascinating. You can even see a hermit crab's legs sticking out from under the shell in the centre of the photo. Below is the same image with outlines and a legend.

Botanical Beach, 2025, Juan de Fuca Park, Vancouver Island, BC

With Crystal's help, the above image shows items I've outlined that I found to be the most intriguing. The following legend corresponds to the outlined image above.

Red outlines- sea grapes or sea sacs

Blue outlines - rockweed

Pink outline - graceful coral seaweed 

Yellow outline - hermit crab hiding under a shell (3 legs visible)

Botanical Beach, 2025, Juan de Fuca Park, Vancouver Island, BC

Nick took this photo of what I thought was a slug but is actually a sea lemon. Acorn barnacles that are in the top right corner and dotted throughout the image look small, so I researched the sea lemon and found it grows up to 15 cm/6 in long. No wonder it caught Nick's eye. 

Botanical Beach, 2025, Juan de Fuca Park, Vancouver Island, BC

Although we have so many more wonderful photos of life in the sandstone tidal pools, I'll end this post with another image of Botanical Beach when the tide is out. Note the fallen, weathered tree in the top middle of the photo which will be featured in the next post. And then note the size of the people. Botanical Beach is huge, and there was even more to see and do. Our kids like climbing and the next post will show that rock climbing is part of this park's adventure.

This is Part 2 of 3 Botanical Beach posts describing our exploration of the Juan de Fuca Park tidal pools and shore of the Salish Sea on the west side of Vancouver Island.

Check out Part 3 when it's posted next week.

Botanical Beach posts correspond to the March calendar page. 

Road Trip 2025 - Botanical Beach - Part 1

 

After our day at the Butchart Gardens and our morning whale-watching from the balcony of our Airbnb, we headed west toward Port Renfrew on the Pacific Marine Circle Route. The sky was cloudy and although there were many beaches along the way, we didn't stop until we arrived at Juan de Fuca Park where Botanical Beach is located. We had checked the tidal chart ahead of time and knew we had a few hours to explore the shoreline before the tide returned. 

Botanical Beach is a wide stretch of sandstone shore that reveals layers of tidal pools, sea creatures, seaweed, and other vegetation once the tide goes out. It's a beautiful, craggy, watch-your-step place. Due to my mobility issues, I handed my Nikon P950 over to Nick and had a much needed nap in the car.       

Trail to Botanical Beach, 2025, Juan de Fuca Park, Vancouver Island, BC

People with mobility issues will have hardship on the long, over half a kilometre path of exposed tree roots, uneven ground, muddy portions, and stairs that lead to the beach.

Trail to Botanical Beach, 2025, Juan de Fuca Park, Vancouver Island, BC

JJ's attention was drawn to one of many twisted trees that help make this trail unique. Meanwhile, Crystal found her own treat below. 

Trail to Botanical Beach, 2025, Juan de Fuca Park, Vancouver Island, BC

Someone took a photo of a bugs and slugs information sign, and then was careful to walk around this cute banana slug on the path. The collage is of the same slug with different views of its head.

Banana Slug, Trail to Botanical Beach, 2025, Juan de Fuca Park, Vancouver Island, BC

Botanical Beach, 2025, Juan de Fuca Park, Vancouver Island, BC

As Jessie reached the beach, she took this shoreline photo of surf-pounded sandstone and other rocks. It's an amazing image of the colours and layers that occur when the moon and weather causes water to repeatedly smash against something and change its shape. Astounding really.

Botanical Beach, 2025, Juan de Fuca Park, Vancouver Island, BC

Nelson took this photo as they reached the beach. As we had planned, the tide was out and almost every nook and craggy cranny was there to explore. Eager to feel the freedom of discovery, Jessie charged ahead on the wet, hard ground. Nick was next, keeping close to the rocks. JJ took a good look around, listening to Crystal as she explained what lay before them. The search was on for the tidal pools and other discoveries.

Botanical Beach, 2025, Juan de Fuca Park, Vancouver Island, BC

Walking was hazardous. The screenshot above is from a video of Jessie stepping past a tidal pool on the left, while mussels, gooseneck barnacles, and seaweed cling to the sandstone rock around her feet wherever they can get a grip.

Tidal Pool, Botanical Beach, 2025, Juan de Fuca Park, Vancouver Island, BC

This tidal pool contains barnacles, mussels, and seaweed both in the pool and out of it. Purple sea urchins, seaweed, and other sea creatures were spotted in the pool waiting for the tide to return.

Tidal Pool, Botanical Beach, 2025, Juan de Fuca Park, Vancouver Island, BC

Nick took the above image of the gooseneck barnacles and mussels that were everywhere. It also shows limpets, acorn barnacles, and different types of seaweed.

Botanical Beach, 2025, Juan de Fuca Park, Vancouver Island, BC

Dexterity and balance is a must when searching out the tidal pools, not only for the safety of the animals found here, but because this is a provincial park and the collecting, moving, or destroying of sea creatures and botanical specimens is not allowed. 

Tidal Pools, Botanical Beach, 2025, Juan de Fuca Park, Vancouver Island, BC

Searching for the tidal pools was like a treasure hunt as they never knew where they would find one, or what they would discover. 

Botanical Beach, 2025, Juan de Fuca Park, Vancouver Island, BC

Nelson found this tidal pool of green algae nestled among what looked like lichen-covered sandstone.  It was fascinating, but what caught my eye was the heart-shaped pink rock on the right side of the photo. And then I spotted a gold pearl floating on the surface. So romantic. 

Well, it seemed romantic until I did some research and realized the gold pearl was actually a float from a bull kelp plant, commonly known as bullwhip kelp or ribbon kelp.

Bed of Bull Kelp, Botanical Beach, 2025, Juan de Fuca Park, Vancouver Island, BC

The above photo shows a bed of bull kelp, stalks and floats lying on the surface basking in the sun as it shone for a few minutes before disappearing behind the clouds above the Salish Sea. Bull kelp rises to the surface on long hollow stems called stipes. It's an annual plant and can grow up to 36 metres/120 feet per season if needed in order to reach the surface where it uses sunlight for photosynthesis.

Botanical Beach, 2025, Juan de Fuca Park, Vancouver Island, BC

The above screenshot is a teaser for Part 2 of this series because it shows the different levels of a tidal pool and gives a hint at what lives in it. 

Part 2 will be posted next week and we hope you'll check out all the fascinating photos.

This is Part 1 of 3 Botanical Beach posts describing our exploration of the Juan de Fuca Park tidal pools and shore of the Salish Sea on the west side of Vancouver Island.

Botanical Beach posts correspond to the March calendar page. 

Road Trip 2025 - The Butchart Gardens Part 2

 
Part 1 of our Butchart Gardens tour took us through the Sunken Garden, Concert Lawn, and Rose Garden. Part 2 will now take us through the Japanese Garden, Italian Garden, and Waterwheel Square. 

Gateway to the Japanese Garden, July 2025, Butchart Gardens, Brentwood Bay, BC

Everything in the Japanese Garden is there for a reason...to immerse you in peace and feed your soul. It's a quiet place. You barely notice the dozens of other people on the paths because they walk slowly and hushed, paying tribute to the peace. The sound of a soft waterfall, a sprinkling fountain, and what I call a bamboo water drop (shishi-odoshi), are natural sounds in the garden. 

Shishi-odoshi, Japanese Garden, July 2025, Butchart Gardens, Brentwood Bay, BC

The shishi-odoshi is my favourite feature in a Japanese garden. I seek it out and wait as the closed bamboo tube fills with water, and then slowly...slowly...the bamboo starts to tip until finally, it releases a soothing stream of water. But wait---it's not finished yet because as the tube empties, gravity pulls the base of the bamboo back down where it hits the rock with a loud, hollow knock. And the process begins again as long as there is water to fill the bamboo tube.

Japanese Meditation Garden, July 2025, Butchart Gardens, Brentwood Bay, BC

Another feature I appreciate in a Japanese Garden is the Zen Meditation Garden, often called a stone garden. It's purpose is not the digging and planting of a flower or vegetative garden, but one for meditation and reflection. The sea is represented by undulating lines of sand or gravel curving around large stones and natural elements giving the aura of rippling waves. The art of creating such a garden is skillful. The art of allowing yourself to sit beside such a garden is calming...if you allow it to be. Breath slowly and relax. Let the world slide by for a moment or two as you follow the waves of a dry sea.

Moss-covered Stone Lantern, Japanese Garden, July 2025, Butchart Gardens, Brentwood Bay, BC

The cool Japanese Garden is filled with dappled sunlight which restricts growth, yet encourages moss. Moss abounds which helps deaden noise and allows for interesting, if somewhat subdued, views.  

Japanese Garden, July 2025, Butchart Gardens, Brentwood Bay, BC

A lily pond is beautiful on its own, yet takes on an ethereal beauty when floating above an artistic stone floor that shimmers as lily pads dance above.  

Artistic river bed, Japanese Garden, July 2025, Butchart Gardens, Brentwood Bay, BC

As we left the Japanese Garden, we felt the full rays of the late afternoon sun. We grabbed a quick view of the wide Star Pond before heading toward the historic Italian Garden. 

Italian Garden, July 2025, Butchart Gardens, Brentwood Bay, BC

The Italian Garden was constructed alongside the residence of Robert and Jennie Butchart. It has the shrubbery and greenspace of most gardens, with the focal part being a large plaza with the Cross Pond.

Italian Garden with Cross Pond, March 1992, Butchart Gardens, Brentwood Bay, BC

In the above photo from my 1992 visit, you can see the distinct cross-shaped pond in the centre of the plaza. Since it was March when I visited, there weren't many plants in bloom, yet it shows the promise of a spectacular display. 

Do you see the vine-covered pillar with the large round planter in front located to the right of the lattice-work gazebo? This next photo shows how we found it this past July.

Italian Garden Gelateria, July 2025, Butchart Gardens, Brentwood Bay, BC

This vine has certainly flourished outside the Italian Garden Gelateria, travelling up and out from the pillar and hiding anyone playing hide-and-seek behind its beauty. Is it the same one I saw 33 years ago back in March 1992? I'd like to think it is, but I haven't done any research on it. 

Waterwheel Square, July 2025, Butchart Gardens, Brentwood Bay, BC

It was late afternoon when we stopped for a breather at Waterwheel Square. Butchart Gardens is an outstanding example of taking something useless and turning it into something sustainable that holds beauty and meaning and the hope of tomorrow. 

Butchart Gardens is concerned about the protection of our planet and have implemented initiatives in the Gardens and departments toward sustainability. For more information, check out their Sustainability page.

Check out a post I wrote in 2020 on The Butchart Gardens with photos and information of my 1992 visit.

Note: The Butchart Gardens Part 1 and 2 blogposts correspond with February's calendar page.

Road Trip 2025 - The Butchart Gardens Part 1

 

While in the Victoria area of Vancouver Island, we visited the 55-acre Butchart Gardens which we'd passed a day earlier in Brentwood Bay after disembarking the ferry from the BC mainland. A few years ago, I'd written a blogpost about Jennie Butchart and her dream of transforming her husband's depleted limestone quarry into a colourful and imaginative feast for the senses. Jennie wasn't a gardener, yet she knew what she wanted and who to contact. As a testament to her faith in the project, the Gardens, which are still owned and operated by her family, were granted National Historic Site of Canada status in 2004. 

Snail Pond, July 2025, Butchart Gardens, Brentwood Bay, BC

The Snail Pond is the first feature you pass enroute the Sunken Garden. It's one of many fountain sculptures and pond features highlighting the Gardens. The internet abounds with photos of the Butchart Gardens, yet most are views of the same statues, fountains, and garden designs. There were six of us taking photos on this trip and we were attracted to different things. This post shows the beauty, artistry and fun of our visit on that day in July, 2025.

Path to the Sunken Garden, Butchart Gardens, 2025, Brentwood Bay, BC

In this land of beauty, even the drab holds surprises. Moss topiary sculptures hide in places sun-loving plants don't grow, and other surprising locations. There's one lying between the trees on the left side of the photo above. See it close up in the photo below.

 

Moss Topiary Sculpture, Butchart Gardens, 2025, Brentwood Bay, BC

It's hard to believe the Sunken Garden was once a limestone quarry. The rock walls and ground are alive with natural textures. The pathways lead down, around, and wind up again, not straight lines, full of variety and hues to hold your interest with astounding vistas around every curve.  

The Sunken Garden, July 2025, Butchart Gardens, Brentwood Bay, BC

Each year, over 265,000 annuals made up of 900 varieties are planted in the Butchart Gardens greenhouses. They are used in the beds and baskets that colour the Gardens. Add to that the 180,000 biennials, 300,000 bulbs, perennials, shrubs, etc that flourish under the loving hands of the staff who use a holistic approach to protect and enhance the plants under their management. 

Nelson in the Sunken Garden, July 2025, Butchart Gardens, Brentwood Bay, BC

The Sunken Garden, July 2025, Butchart Gardens, Brentwood Bay, BC

We climbed out of the Sunken Garden and followed the path around the Concert Lawn. To the left was the Rose Carousel, as well as the Firework viewing area. Along our sun-drenched path, the dahlias grew almost as high as JJ. 

JJ along the Concert Lawn, July 2025, Butchart Gardens, Brentwood Bay, BC

I took a lot of photos of the magnificent walkways, but it's hard to tell the height of the stems and blooms unless someone is standing beside them. In the photo's background, you can barely see a building hidden under a canopy of greenery.

Jessie, Nelson, and Monkey Puzzle Tree, July 2025, Butchart Gardens, Brentwood Bay, BC

We turned to look for the rest of our crew and I was thrilled to see a Monkey Puzzle tree (Araucaria araucana) entertaining two of my monkeys on the Concert Lawn. 

 

The Rose Garden, July 2025, Butchart Gardens, Brentwood Bay, BC

 We continued down the path, past the dragon fountain, and entered the allure of the Rose Garden.

The Rose Garden, July 2025, Butchart Gardens, Brentwood Bay, BC

The Rose Garden was breathtaking but admittedly, as we feasted our eyes on rows upon rows of roses, we didn't do it justice. The sun was draining our energy and we wanted to rest somewhere in the shade.

We continue our tour of the Butchart Gardens in Part 2 where we explore the cool and meditative Japanese Garden, the historic Italian Garden, and Waterwheel Square.

Check out a post I wrote in 2020 on The Butchart Gardens with photos and information of my 1992 visit.

Note: The Butchart Gardens Part 1 and 2 blogposts correspond with February's calendar page.