Signs of Spring

In spite of the utter lack of colour and dreary brown appearance to the landscape, the slowly lengthening days are having their effect on plant growth.  At a distance the stands of red alder (Alnus rubra) are getting the first hues of red as buds and the catkins begin to show signs of growth.  One of the earliest catkins that comes out is from a not native to Bella Coola tree, the hazelnut (Corylus cornuta).  It is native in Hazelton BC area and the southern interior of BC.  It's a very hardy tree because soon it will be a showy yellow mass as the catkins pollinate even with a lot of snow and frozen ground around.

On the valley weather front, it hasn't been a nice week in the Bella Coola Valley, with lengthy periods of cold rain, and more snow in the mountains. Grizzly