Mt. Nusatsum

Mt. Nusatsum

Saturday, March 20, 2010

The Smell of Skunk Cabbage in the Morning

Nothing beats the smell of stepping outside first thing in the morning this time of year in the Bella Coola Valley and breathing in the smell of skunk cabbage (Lysichiton americanum).  I think it's kind of like acquiring a taste for certain foods, because I'm pretty sure when I was a kid, I didn't like the smell of it when we used to go bush whacking through groves of it, but now, it's another key marker in the passage of the season which I really look forward to.  We are only a few days or a maybe a week away from the rich and unique smell that will waft around anywhere there are patches of skunk cabbage.  It's fun driving along the valley and getting hit with the rich, slightly sour smell when you drive through a wet area with a lot of skunk cabbage or along a  highway ditch.

It's a really important plant for bears as well.  This time of year when the bears emerge from their dens the fresh shoots and roots of the skunk cabbage plant are one of things you will see all dug up as they start their feeding routines.  

Today was a nice day in the Bella Coola Valley.  It started out grey, but in the late afternoon it went to full sun and was really pleasant for awhile at 15 C on what they are calling the first day of spring. Grizzly

1 comment:

  1. I grew up in Firvale - it's been a long time since I've seen it. Could you take a picture of Table Mountain (Mt. Stupendous) with the salt and pepper shakers, and of Nusatsum from where the old school house used to be? I would sure appreciate that!
    I enjoy your pictures very much - they bring back lots of good memories!

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