Tags
Beauty, Canada, creation, Deserts, humour, nature, Okanagan Valley, Osoyoos, photography, the Desert Centre Osoyoos, travel
The usual desert image
During our stay in the Okanagan our friends took us to the Desert Centre, Osoyoos in the South Okanagan valley. Much of the area in the valley was desert. But due to agricultural development, growth of wine production and a large influx of people choosing the valley as home, most of the unique desert has been lost. “The Osoyoos Desert Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of the endangered antelope-brush ecosystem” (from the Desert Centre brochure. The result is a beautiful oasis of desert (sounds like an oxymoron doesn’t it).
The desert is an abundance of life – flora and fauna, reptile and insect, it’s a wonderland.
The natural valley landscape
The centre has a small but interesting natural history museum that is worth visiting before setting out on the trail. The centre offers daily interpreter led tours. We arrived after the last tour of the day but enjoyed strolling at our own pace. We were guided by the interpretive map and the numbered exhibit markers.
The society has built a boardwalk to protect the fragile biotic crust
The biotic crust is made up of around 27 different species – it resembles moss, and turns bright green or brown when water is sprinkled on its surface. “It retains moisture for plants, transfers nutrients into the soil below, and allows bunchgrass seeds to hold on to the ground for germination.” (Desert Centre brochure).
Susan and our friends Anne and Allan head out on the boardwalk
It was very warm for early June – in the mid thirties Celsius. Bring your hat and water.
So delicate, in such a harsh environment
These beautiful plants were widely distributed in the area, but too far from the boardwalk to get a great hand-held shot
Flora is even more striking when discovered in the otherwise monochrome desert
Shrubs in bloom
More striking blossoms
and floral surprises
and floral displays
Just one more of my purple friends
One more for the road
Anytime you are in the South Okanagan, take the time to visit the Desert Centre Osoyoos.
Reflections in Puddles 
Whoa…who knew?? Just beautiful!
It was a very special place Ann
Photos number 6, 8, and 9 contain gorgeous and fascinating flowers. Unbelievable how unique the desert can be. This post was very educational for me. I had no idea that Canada contains a desert.
We are blessed in Canada to have such variety of geography and ecosystems. We just have to elect governments that will protect them.
Yes and that needs to happen soon before these vital areas are lost.
A beautiful post, Rod. Several of the flower pictures–and certainly the opening one–remind me of Georgie O’Keefe’s art of New Mexico. Wonderful!
Thanks Marylin. I don’t know that artist. Time to google.
Here’s a good start:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgia_O'Keeffe
Thanks Steve. So much to see between Vancouver and the Prairies.
Hope you get to visit soon.
Lovely post, full of unexpected colour for a desert. I like that Boardwalk – there is one near us here in the UK – on a nature reserve. We used to go there when the children were small to spot the little lizards who basked there. You have reminded me to go back and walk there soon!
I really like boardwalks. Especially when they take you into otherwise inaccessible ecosystems. Swamps are fascinating
Wonderful blooms, Rod. Must have been a delight. The elk looks like it missed a few dentist appointments.
I told him to floss!
You nailed those photos Rod! Thanks so much for sharing.
Thanks Katharine
These places are amazing aren’t they? I had the privilege of visiting the Joshua Tree National Park in California, part of the high desert. Unbelievable life there and like your discovery desperately in need of protection.
Quite remarkable Bob. So many ecosystems at risk
Thanks for your introduction to this great place. I visited Vancouver in 2000 but didn’t venture farther east in British Columbia. Let’s hope I can do so one of these days.
Thanks Steve. I hope you get to visit the Okanagan soon. There is so much to see between Vancouver and the Prairies.
When I first saw the name Okanagan in your post, the sound of the word made me think the place is in Africa, but I’m much more likely to visit it now that I know it’s in Canada, which is so much easier to get to.