Celebrate Biodiversity Share stories and photographs of wildlife, birds, natural areas and more. Wed, 11 Mar 2026 19:27:25 +0000 Wed, 11 Mar 2026 19:27:25 +0000 UBC Botanical Garden Forums https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/forums/celebrate-biodiversity.258/ Michigan Cherry Farmers Find a Surprising Food Safety Ally: Falcons Wed, 11 Mar 2026 07:16:57 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/michigan-cherry-farmers-find-a-surprising-food-safety-ally-falcons.105469/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/michigan-cherry-farmers-find-a-surprising-food-safety-ally-falcons.105469/ invalid@example.com (Junglekeeper) Junglekeeper Michigan Cherry Farmers Find a Surprising Food Safety Ally: Falcons
]]> Raccoons solve puzzles for the fun of it, new study finds Wed, 11 Mar 2026 07:05:41 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/raccoons-solve-puzzles-for-the-fun-of-it-new-study-finds.105468/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/raccoons-solve-puzzles-for-the-fun-of-it-new-study-finds.105468/ invalid@example.com (Junglekeeper) Junglekeeper Raccoons solve puzzles for the fun of it, new study finds
]]> Veronika the cow has a scratching broom, and she knows how to use it Thu, 22 Jan 2026 03:19:51 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/veronika-the-cow-has-a-scratching-broom-and-she-knows-how-to-use-it.105438/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/veronika-the-cow-has-a-scratching-broom-and-she-knows-how-to-use-it.105438/ invalid@example.com (Junglekeeper) Junglekeeper Veronika the cow has a scratching broom, and she knows how to use it​]]> A Mississauga man took the city to court over not mowing his lawn — and won Sun, 11 Jan 2026 07:51:12 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/a-mississauga-man-took-the-city-to-court-over-not-mowing-his-lawn-%E2%80%94-and-won.105427/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/a-mississauga-man-took-the-city-to-court-over-not-mowing-his-lawn-%E2%80%94-and-won.105427/ invalid@example.com (Junglekeeper) Junglekeeper A Mississauga man took the city to court over not mowing his lawn — and won​]]> 1 New species are being discovered faster than ever before, study suggests Wed, 24 Dec 2025 01:43:06 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/new-species-are-being-discovered-faster-than-ever-before-study-suggests.105413/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/new-species-are-being-discovered-faster-than-ever-before-study-suggests.105413/ invalid@example.com (Junglekeeper) Junglekeeper New species are being discovered faster than ever before, study suggests​]]> 1 Urban birds' beak shape rapidly changed during COVID-19 lockdowns Mon, 22 Dec 2025 07:00:03 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/urban-birds-beak-shape-rapidly-changed-during-covid-19-lockdowns.105412/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/urban-birds-beak-shape-rapidly-changed-during-covid-19-lockdowns.105412/ invalid@example.com (Junglekeeper) Junglekeeper Urban birds' beak shape rapidly changed during COVID-19 lockdowns, suggesting human-driven transformations​
Urban birds' beak shape rapidly changed during COVID-19 lockdowns]]> Italian bears living near villages have evolved to be smaller and less aggressive, finds study Thu, 18 Dec 2025 09:40:35 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/italian-bears-living-near-villages-have-evolved-to-be-smaller-and-less-aggressive-finds-study.105408/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/italian-bears-living-near-villages-have-evolved-to-be-smaller-and-less-aggressive-finds-study.105408/ invalid@example.com (Junglekeeper) Junglekeeper Italian bears living near villages have evolved to be smaller and less aggressive, finds study​
]]> 1 City raccoons showing signs of domestication Sun, 07 Dec 2025 08:14:45 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/city-raccoons-showing-signs-of-domestication.105398/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/city-raccoons-showing-signs-of-domestication.105398/ invalid@example.com (Junglekeeper) Junglekeeper City raccoons showing signs of domestication​
]]> 5 These B.C. wolves figured out how to pull up crab traps to get food Thu, 20 Nov 2025 01:19:49 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/these-b-c-wolves-figured-out-how-to-pull-up-crab-traps-to-get-food.105390/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/these-b-c-wolves-figured-out-how-to-pull-up-crab-traps-to-get-food.105390/ invalid@example.com (Junglekeeper) Junglekeeper These B.C. wolves figured out how to pull up crab traps to get food​
]]> 1 Goats destroy invasive buckthorn one bite at a time Fri, 14 Nov 2025 06:19:12 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/goats-destroy-invasive-buckthorn-one-bite-at-a-time.105384/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/goats-destroy-invasive-buckthorn-one-bite-at-a-time.105384/ invalid@example.com (wcutler) wcutler The article on the appeal of buckthorn for the goats is the second article in this issue, a little beyond half-way down the page at
What I learned from people who live car-free across Canada | CBC Climate Change News]]> 1 Theory emerges after famously ugly trees transform into perfect 'lollipops' on Aussie property Mon, 27 Oct 2025 03:30:26 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/theory-emerges-after-famously-ugly-trees-transform-into-perfect-lollipops-on-aussie-property.105364/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/theory-emerges-after-famously-ugly-trees-transform-into-perfect-lollipops-on-aussie-property.105364/ invalid@example.com (Junglekeeper) Junglekeeper Theory emerges after famously ugly trees transform into perfect 'lollipops' on Aussie property​
Theory emerges after famously ugly trees transform into perfect 'lollipops' on Aussie property]]> 1 Out-of-place Butterfly Sat, 13 Sep 2025 07:08:07 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/out-of-place-butterfly.105310/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/out-of-place-butterfly.105310/ invalid@example.com (NorthPeace) NorthPeace 2 This bright orange shark has shocked and delighted scientists Sat, 06 Sep 2025 16:46:44 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/this-bright-orange-shark-has-shocked-and-delighted-scientists.105298/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/this-bright-orange-shark-has-shocked-and-delighted-scientists.105298/ invalid@example.com (Junglekeeper) Junglekeeper This bright orange shark has shocked and delighted scientists​]]> 1 Lost Lagoon Algae (Stanley Park) Mon, 01 Sep 2025 23:18:16 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/lost-lagoon-algae-stanley-park.105290/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/lost-lagoon-algae-stanley-park.105290/ invalid@example.com (wcutler) wcutler View attachment 260175
The algae growth turns out to be a yearly occurrence, now that the fountain is turned off and the lagoon receives no fresh water. The docent from the Stanley Park Ecology Society said the birds appreciate the algae, and it clears up on its own later in the year. There's an article about it at https://www.thewestendjournal.ca/blog/2025/9/1/stanley-park-notebook.
Lost Lagoon Algae (Stanley Park)]]> Many Bald-faced Hornets this Year Fri, 08 Aug 2025 01:44:17 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/many-bald-faced-hornets-this-year.105268/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/many-bald-faced-hornets-this-year.105268/ invalid@example.com (DavidB52) DavidB52
Previously, I almost never saw any.

However, this year they are everywhere. I am seeing more of them than the bright yellow and orange yellowjackets. They fly around everything: flowers, compost, water buckets, etc. but don't land on anything. I wonder what they are looking for?

It's fun watching them; they are beautiful. Luckily, I haven't been stung by one yet.

Though I still wonder why the noticeable...

Many Bald-faced Hornets this Year]]> 2 Pair of rare, multicoloured lobsters new summer stars of Dartmouth ocean centre Sat, 19 Jul 2025 06:58:05 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/pair-of-rare-multicoloured-lobsters-new-summer-stars-of-dartmouth-ocean-centre.105245/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/pair-of-rare-multicoloured-lobsters-new-summer-stars-of-dartmouth-ocean-centre.105245/ invalid@example.com (Junglekeeper) Junglekeeper Pair of rare, multicoloured lobsters new summer stars of Dartmouth ocean centre

]]> Orcas might be trying to learn 'who we are' when they share prey with humans, study suggests Fri, 04 Jul 2025 18:47:28 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/orcas-might-be-trying-to-learn-who-we-are-when-they-share-prey-with-humans-study-suggests.105228/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/orcas-might-be-trying-to-learn-who-we-are-when-they-share-prey-with-humans-study-suggests.105228/ invalid@example.com (Junglekeeper) Junglekeeper Orcas might be trying to learn 'who we are' when they share prey with humans, study suggests​]]> 3 Western Painted Turtles Tue, 10 Jun 2025 16:09:17 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/western-painted-turtles.105211/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/western-painted-turtles.105211/ invalid@example.com (Georgia Strait) Georgia Strait https://www.castanet.net/news/Kelow...e-for-western-painted-turtles-in-the-Okanagan

Hello @wcutler
I am not sure where to post garden nature items

we have a small forest pond nearby Okanagan region and yes, turtles sun themselves

very interesting

unfort sometimes they sun on the road (warm pavement)

link attached above]]> 1 New Study Shows That Birds Form Bonds That Look a Lot Like Friendship Mon, 26 May 2025 07:06:44 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/new-study-shows-that-birds-form-bonds-that-look-a-lot-like-friendship.105191/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/new-study-shows-that-birds-form-bonds-that-look-a-lot-like-friendship.105191/ invalid@example.com (Junglekeeper) Junglekeeper New Study Shows That Birds Form Bonds That Look a Lot Like Friendship​
]]> Backyard feeders changed the shape of hummingbird beaks, scientists say Sun, 25 May 2025 07:46:23 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/backyard-feeders-changed-the-shape-of-hummingbird-beaks-scientists-say.105188/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/backyard-feeders-changed-the-shape-of-hummingbird-beaks-scientists-say.105188/ invalid@example.com (Junglekeeper) Junglekeeper Backyard feeders changed the shape of hummingbird beaks, scientists say​
]]> This orange lobster might not look that rare — but it's 1 in 30 million Tue, 20 May 2025 00:37:25 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/this-orange-lobster-might-not-look-that-rare-%E2%80%94-but-its-1-in-30-million.105186/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/this-orange-lobster-might-not-look-that-rare-%E2%80%94-but-its-1-in-30-million.105186/ invalid@example.com (Junglekeeper) Junglekeeper This orange lobster might not look that rare — but it's 1 in 30 million​]]> How ‘parks for bugs’ boost pollinators in Vancouver Wed, 23 Apr 2025 06:45:38 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/how-%E2%80%98parks-for-bugs%E2%80%99-boost-pollinators-in-vancouver.105122/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/how-%E2%80%98parks-for-bugs%E2%80%99-boost-pollinators-in-vancouver.105122/ invalid@example.com (Junglekeeper) Junglekeeper How ‘parks for bugs’ boost pollinators in Vancouver​
]]> Hummingbirds in Andes Mountains found nesting in colonies, defying territorial norms Thu, 13 Mar 2025 13:36:32 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/hummingbirds-in-andes-mountains-found-nesting-in-colonies-defying-territorial-norms.105056/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/hummingbirds-in-andes-mountains-found-nesting-in-colonies-defying-territorial-norms.105056/ invalid@example.com (Junglekeeper) Junglekeeper Hummingbirds in Andes Mountains found nesting in colonies, defying territorial norms​]]> The Last Bee - short poem by Brian Bilston Thu, 13 Mar 2025 00:15:50 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/the-last-bee-short-poem-by-brian-bilston.105055/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/the-last-bee-short-poem-by-brian-bilston.105055/ invalid@example.com (wcutler) wcutler [​IMG]Author...

The Last Bee - short poem by Brian Bilston]]> Brightly colored creature—kept in pet aquariums globally—discovered as new species Sat, 11 Jan 2025 07:56:07 +0000 https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/brightly-colored-creature%E2%80%94kept-in-pet-aquariums-globally%E2%80%94discovered-as-new-species.104981/ https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/brightly-colored-creature%E2%80%94kept-in-pet-aquariums-globally%E2%80%94discovered-as-new-species.104981/ invalid@example.com (Junglekeeper) Junglekeeper Brightly colored creature—kept in pet aquariums globally—discovered as new species​
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