Category: Fish


Sycamore 

Health can sometimes find you When you’re not looking.

Sweet smelling flora

” visiting sailors could smell North America as they approached.”

Therapy

The fragrance associated with the sycamore tree (Platanus family, as well as the sycamore maple Acer pseudoplatanus) is subtle, warm, and earthy rather than intensely floral. Its sweet smell comes primarily from the natural resins, green bark, and dried sap/wood.
* The Scent Profile: It carries notes of pale wood, dried leaves, light vanilla, and maple-like syrup. During warm sunny days or in early autumn as foliage dries, the released volatiles emit a cozy, clean timber-and-sawdust aroma with  distinct hints of natural sugar.


Environmental Benefits of the Sycamore Tree


* Riparian Buffer & Soil Stabilization: Sycamores thrive near riverbanks and floodplains. Their massive, interlocking root systems bind soil tightly, preventing stream erosion and managing heavy stormwater run-off.
* Heavy Carbon Sequestration & Air Filtration: Because of their broad, dense canopy and rapid growth rate, a mature sycamore can sequester dozens of pounds of carbon dioxide annually while filtering urban particulate pollution.
* Biodiversity & Wildlife Shelters: Old sycamores naturally form large cavities in their trunks, providing critical nesting sites for birds, bats, owls, and small mammals. Their broad leaves also support dozens of native butterfly and moth larvae.
* Microclimate & Urban Heat Mitigation: Their expansive leafy crowns provide broad shade, significantly cooling urban heat islands and reducing surrounding temperatures during summer peaks.
10 Sweet-Smelling Plants & Their Hypoallergenic Value
When evaluating sweet-scented plants for hypoallergenic properties, the key distinction lies in pollination method:
* Wind-pollinated plants (like sycamores or pines) release fine, airborne pollen that often triggers seasonal allergies.
* Insect-pollinated (zoophilous) plants produce heavy, sticky pollen that stays inside the bloom, making them generally hypoallergenic to breathe near.
Below are 10 sweet-smelling plants along with their allergic impact on humans and animals (cats and dogs):
| Plant Name | Scent Profile | Human Hypoallergenic Value | Animal Safety (Cats/Dogs) |
|—|—|—|—|
| 1. Jasmine (Jasminum officinale) | Warm, sweet, rich floral | Very High (Insect-pollinated; pollen is heavy and non-airborne) | Safe (True jasmines are non-toxic to pets) |
| 2. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) | Sweet herbaceous floral | Very High (Heavy pollen; natural oils repel insects) | Mild Caution (Contains linalool; safe to smell, but mild upset if ingested in quantity) |
| 3. Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides) | Intensely sweet, creamy floral | High (Large heavy pollen grains remain trapped inside petals) | Toxic if Ingested (Causes gastrointestinal upset; keep away from chewing pets) |
| 4. Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) | Nectar-like, honey-sweet floral | High (Attracts pollinators; low airborne pollen risk) | Toxic if Ingested (Berries and vines contain toxins harmful to dogs/cats) |
| 5. Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima) | Delicately sweet, honeyed scent | Very High (Low-pollen groundcover; very gentle air profile) | Safe (Non-toxic to cats and dogs) |
| 6. Sweet Bay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana) | Sweet lemony citrus-vanilla | High (Large, waxy blooms trap heavy pollen inside) | Safe (Leaves and bark are non-toxic to household pets) |
| 7. Rose (Rosa cultivars) | Classic sweet, sugary floral | Very High (Pollen is dense and rarely becomes airborne) | Safe (Non-toxic, though thorns present physical risks) |
| 8. Lilac (Syringa vulgaris) | Deep, rich, sugary spring floral | Moderate–High (Insect-pollinated, though strong perfume can irritate sensitive nasal sinuses) | Safe (Non-toxic to cats and dogs) |
| 9. Lemon Verbena (Aloysia citrodora) | Bright, sweet, sugary citrus | Very High (Scent comes from leaf oils, not heavy pollen) | Mild Caution (Essential oils can cause mild stomach upset if ingested in large amounts) |
| 10. Peony (Paeonia) | Soft, fresh, sweet floral | High (Insect-pollinated; negligible airborne pollen count) | Toxic if Ingested (Contains paeonol; can cause vomiting/diarrhea if eaten) |
(Note: While insect-pollinated flowers have high hypoallergenic value for airborne respiratory allergies, highly fragrant plants may still trigger non-allergic sensory sensitivity or headaches in individuals sensitive to strong scents.)

Roman removal of forests

The Roman’s military style was large formations and clear battlefields. In many of their Empire building conquests they removed large amounts of trees , this facilitated battles and limited escapes of indigenous peoples.

http://youtube.com/post/UgkxYonLe1eZs949QZ1Mjh4ocxAZUrdJ3983?si=FqNIUfwmnXzyPRPS

AGM- Nicola naturalist society Incorporated

Since 2010 in British Columbia, there’s been a group of people that have met and had fellowship going out with their passion to document and expond on the types and conditions for the natural ecology about Merritt.

They have recently changed their meetings from the third Thursday of every month to the second Thursday of every month. So the first meeting for their new year will be this coming Thursday the 20th of September 2026.

The format for the first meeting is always the AGM. The voting bar established by paid up memberships and they will take that at the meeting. For further details or a form that you can fill up prehand to go to their website.NNS

http://www.nicolanaturalistsociety.ca

The Brief annual meeting is followed by a member’s photo night and discussion about the photos. And the meetings continue monthly second Thursday to the end of June.

Walk bridge local park,photo KDG

Generated photo KDG

There have been numbers of bear related discourses over time through our local naturalist society registered or otherwise. One formal presentation in 2019 was billed in this writing below, thanks to Francis.

You can contact the registered society at this link. They are always interested in natural interlopers especially photos.

History of  Merritt Nicola

Naturalist Society Meetings

Bears and all …

Everyone loves hearing about Grizzly Bears and the presentation by Francis Iredale is especially worth attending. He has been involved in research and radio-tracking of Grizzlies in the southern Chilcotins for many years. The population status and success of this marginal population of Grizzlies is of great concern. These bears spend much time in the high elevation alpine areas and have lifestyles that are somewhat different to those better-known Grizzlies on the BC coast. Not to be missed!

Source Nicola Naturalists

Editor’s Note: we are not the registered society our mandate at kevingriffiths.ca is broader than that…

Have a safe Canada Day.

And a Natural forth coming year in our confederation. 159 onto 160.

Karner Blue & Frosted Elfin Butterflies

Gone extinct

Canadian extinctions in the last 50 years.

While Canada hasn’t lost any high-profile megafauna like grizzly bears or caribou entirely to global extinction in the last 50 years, several unique, localized species and distinct populations have completely vanished from the country.

### 1. Globally Extinct

(Gone Forever)These unique creatures only existed in specific Canadian habitats and are now completely lost to the world: * **The Hadley Lake Sticklebacks (Extinct c. 1999):** This was a fascinating “species pair” (two distinct but closely related species, the Benthic and Limnetic sticklebacks) that lived side-by-side exclusively in Hadley Lake on Lasqueti Island, British Columbia. Discovered in the 1980s, they were entirely wiped out within a decade after someone illegally introduced predatory catfish into the lake. * **The Banff Longnose Dace (Extinct c. 1986):** This tiny, specialized freshwater fish was endemic to a single marsh fed by hot springs in Banff National Park, Alberta. A combination of factors led to its sudden demise: the introduction of invasive tropical aquarium fish, a beaver dam that restricted their movement, and chlorinated water leaking into the marsh from a nearby swimming pool.

### 2. Extirpated from Canada (Still Exist Elsewhere)

These species or distinct regional populations once thrived in Canada but can now only be found in the United States or in captive breeding programs: * **Greater Prairie-Chicken (Extirpated c. 1987):** Known for the striking, bright orange air sacs on the necks of males during their elaborate courtship dances, this large grouse once ranged across Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario. Massive habitat loss from agriculture and over-hunting drove them completely out of Canada. * **Karner Blue & Frosted Elfin Butterflies (Extirpated c. 1991 and 1988):** Both of these small, beautiful butterflies disappeared from their native oak savannah habitats in southern Ontario. The Karner Blue vanished primarily because its caterpillars feed exclusively on wild lupine, a plant that rapidly disappeared due to land development and fire suppression. * **Black-Footed Ferret (Extirpated in the wild c. 1974):** This nocturnal predator disappeared from the Canadian prairies as its primary prey, the prairie dog, was systematically eradicated by ranchers. While technically extirpated from the wild decades ago, massive conservation efforts have since attempted to carefully reintroduce captive-bred ferrets back into Saskatchewan’s Grasslands National Park.

### 3. Recent Distinct Population Extinctions

The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) also tracks distinct regional populations that disappear: * **Lake Whitefish Species Pairs (Como Lake, ON) (Extinct c. 2018):** A unique evolutionary pair of small- and large-bodied whitefish in Como Lake, Ontario, was officially declared extinct after an invasive zooplankton (the spiny waterflea) completely disrupted the local food web. * **Atlantic Walrus – Nova Scotia/Newfoundland Population (Extinct c. 2017):** While the Arctic populations of the Atlantic Walrus survive, the distinct population that once hauled out along the Atlantic coastlines of Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland was formally declared extinct by COSEWIC after failing to recover from historical commercial harvesting.

Doe ray me…

Sunny summer weather has nature humming, golden rays of reciprocal charm chocking up scores.

So this fawn was found near a bush with some shade. June 2nd 2026.

The finder noted that the mother was near by so placed it back to the shade leaving it for it’s returning foraging mom.

Best Practice

This is the best practice for fawns unless the are injured.

BC SPCA is a phone call away these days…

Document with film we have a naturalist blog as well, or NNS inc is available in Merritt.

Burrowing owls

7:00 p.m. NVIT top of the hill Battle Shaw avenue in Merritt.

Free parking,

Cull stayed

Ostriches are raised for meat, feathers and eggs and are commercial. However these bunch of hostages in the news of late were going away from that and we’re used for tourism. Coming endeared to some keepers. Wouldn’t have been, if it was just for meat.

Avian flu

This is a very serious condition that affects foul and gets into people it can be fatal to people and the closer they are the bigger population areas and more of a risk.

The cull that was ordered by the authorities has been stayed and there may be a presentation between the parties at the Supreme Court of Canada and there is a controversy over testing the remaining birds, 300 out of a possible 450 that had contacted the avian flu and are under scrutiny.

H5N1

The virus involved is H5N1, and could be a particularly concern at the start of the flu season and respiratory illness that could accompany it.

Geese seen in V formation pointed south… K

Be the K in Kind

k

So, has anybody ever asked you? Did you notice that  a formation of geese is usually longer on one side than the other, and asked yourself, why is that?

The reply is it’s “there are more geese on that side.”

So truth and reconciliation day begins with what is obvious first. The contentious next, then the punchline is  “more work will be more productive than more obvious discoveries.”

Oops new formation

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Day_for_Truth_and_Reconciliation

Fish in Creek, Merritt BC

Nicola river these salmon are 200 meters up stream from the Voght St bridge.

Spawning

The salmon in the photo seem to be very lively and actively spawning.

Salmon

Photo KDG, September 21 2025, Merritt BC…

Nicola River System

The Nicola River system, located in the Thompson-Nicola region of British Columbia, is a vital watershed for several species of Pacific salmon. The annual salmon runs are not only a spectacular natural event but also a crucial part of the ecosystem and hold deep cultural significance for local First Nations.The Salmon SpeciesThe Nicola River and its tributaries support runs of several salmon species, including: * Chinook Salmon: Considered a prized species, Chinook are one of the largest and most sought-after salmon. * Coho Salmon: These are known for being a bit more elusive, which makes them a challenge for anglers. * Pink Salmon: Pink salmon are the smallest species and are known for the distinctive hump that develops on the back of the males during their spawning migration. * Sockeye Salmon: Although their presence has been less consistent in recent years, sockeye were historically a significant part of the Nicola system.The timing of the salmon runs can vary by species, but generally, the main runs occur in the late summer and early fall, as the fish make their incredible journey from the ocean to their natal spawning grounds.Environmental ChallengesThe health of the salmon runs in the Nicola River is a significant concern due to various environmental pressures. The Thompson-Nicola region is particularly susceptible to the effects of climate change, which has led to: * Drought: Lower-than-average snowpack and reduced summer rainfall can lead to low stream flows and higher water temperatures. This can trap fish in isolated pools, increase their vulnerability to predators, and cause a loss of critical habitat. * Wildfires: The increasing frequency and severity of wildfires can damage the watershed, leading to increased sediment runoff that can smother salmon eggs and alter the river’s habitat.These factors, combined with historical impacts from logging and water withdrawals for agriculture, pose a serious threat to the persistence and recovery of salmon populations.Cultural SignificanceFor the First Nations of the Nicola Valley, particularly the Nlaka’pamux and Secwepemc peoples, salmon are far more than just a food source. Salmon are an integral part of their identity, culture, and social structure. * Sustenance and Trade: For thousands of years, salmon have been a foundational food source and a key item for trade, sustaining large and vibrant communities. * Spiritual and Cultural Connection: In many traditional beliefs, salmon are considered gift-bearing relatives and are treated with immense respect. The return of the salmon each year is a powerful symbol of life, endurance, and the cyclical nature of the world. Traditional stories, songs, and ceremonies celebrate this deep connection. * Stewardship: Indigenous knowledge and traditional practices have historically played a vital role in managing and protecting the salmon populations. This includes using methods like dipnetting and establishing agreements between communities to ensure the sustainability of the resource for all.Efforts are underway, often led by First Nations communities and conservation groups, to address the challenges facing the Nicola watershed and its salmon. These initiatives focus on habitat restoration, sustainable water management, and integrated decision-making to protect this irreplaceable resource for future generations.

NNS for you

Up coming

The Nicola Naturalist Society Incorporated have begun their fall and winter program again since 2010 in Merritt, British Columbia, the group have been going out doing projects in association with some government and Nature BC.

Lichen outing:

On Saturday September 27 th 2025. With Christine, You need to be paid up member to go.

Concept photo

Mallards matter

Mallard ducks are the most prevalent around our place, our neck of the woods here in Merritt, British Columbia. We love our Mallard ducks.

The local naturalist club will begin their regular weekend fall and winter schedule on the 18th. Their meetings are generally most months on the third Thursday at 7:00 at the Nicola Valley institute of technology, top of the hill Belshaw Avenue in Merritt.

Greenland puddle

AKA Cold Blob

Well, it’s complicated. While a cooler spot might sound good in a warming world, the cold blob is a sign that major ocean currents are changing. That could have big impacts on weather patterns and sea levels around the globe. Scientists are still studying it to understand the full effects.

Tilt of the earth?

That’s a great question! The Milankovitch cycles do play a role in Earth’s long-term climate patterns, but the cooling of the cold blob is happening much faster than those cycles would predict. Scientists believe it’s primarily driven by the melting of the Greenland ice sheet and its impact on ocean currents.

Fish return

Editor’s note: The government of British Columbia opened a recreational fishing season on returning salmon in the Fraser River on the 22nd of August 2025, this abundance of return is being credited to some cooler water by some sources. This brief opening is 11 Days ending on September 1st 2025. Many sources are  lined up to take credit. In our view it may be a result of the rest the environment got during COVID.