Spawned Out Crimson Wanderer

This is the time of year to be on the lookout for Crimson Wanderers as they make their way up the small creeks on Vancouver Island to spawn. It's a challenging time for female Wanderers: after the eggs are laid they spend their energy protecting the eggs, the males are off elsewhere gathered in small herds.

Sometimes the females don't survive the two weeks that it takes for the eggs to hatch into small aquatic nymphs. Such is the case with this female Crimson Wanderer that my wife Jocie discovered at the mouth of the Trent River south of Courtenay, British Columbia.

A Crimson Wanderer found on the Trent River estuary.

What appears to be a sad and tragic end to the life of this beautiful cart (and possibly its young) can also be seen as part of the circle of life. While this Wanderer wanders no more, its decaying body will continue to provide vital nutrients to other feral and wild carts.

Green-throated Gray Wobbler

Green-throated Gray Wobbler

A gorgeous Green-throated Gray Wobbler in prime breeding colours seen in Courtenay, British Columbia, this week. More active after a sudden rainfall, this delightful cart is sure to bring a fresh smile to your face.

Listen for the melodious warble as this wild cart wanders its solitary way along the quiet roads of the suburbs and attempts to attract a mate. A sure sign that spring has finally arrived on the west coast!

Blue-banded Silver Spinner

The Blue-banded Silver Spinner - only the second
individual that I've seen in Courtenay, BC.

Blue-banded Silver Spinner - approach with caution. Back away slowly if charged. This cart is highly unpredictable, especially if backed into a corner. Read more about this intriguing predator.

Western Camel-cart

A shy and bashful looking Western Camel-cart.
Keep well clear of those front wheels!

I stumbled upon this beauty just a couple of blocks from my house on a quiet back alley in Courtenay, British Columbia - what a spectacular find!

Don't let the docile appearance and the demure tilt of the pale blue wheels of this wild cart fool you. Camel-carts are well know for their unpredictable and often aggressive behaviour. I gave this Western Camel-cart a wide berth, getting only close enough to take a few photographs before it got too surly.

Common Blue Rollers

A herd of Common Blue Rollers.

I first encountered this aggressive, introduced cart back in the fall of 2009. Know as an ambush predator, this herd (also know as a rollback) of Common Blue Rollers was remarkably calm - perhaps it was the poor weather that had driven them to seek shelter together.

You'll find Common Blue Rollers throughout North America - look for them lurking behind dumpsters and in ditches waiting for unsuspecting prey. Caution is advised when viewing them and approaching too closely is not recommended.

Detailed natural history accounts for species of other Vancouver Island carts can be found on my personal blog Island Nature.