In the Forest

Iconic Vancouver Island Forest

I’m always thinking about outdoor locations for my photo shoots and I knew I needed some good deep, dark woods for my next pattern. While I was scouting the location, I couldn’t help but practice landscape and mood photography, so please enjoy this post showing you some classic views of what we have access to here on Vancouver Island.

Dark green sword ferns are tangled on the forest floor

Dark green sword ferns are tangled on the forest floor

Sword ferns are pretty ubiquitous around here, so much so that one is included in my “local plants” themed tattoo. They can be so dramatic as a forest floor cover, just making everything seem ancient and mysterious.

A wide path curves through a forest with big trees, mossy rocks, and dried orange ferns.

A wide path curves through a forest with big trees, mossy rocks, and dried orange ferns.

I’m blown away every time I visit a park like this that not only am I surrounded by this kind of forest, but it’s also accessible to the public. This trail, the Elsie King Trail at Francis King Park, is designed to be accessible with wide, flat pathways, and lots of benches for resting along the way.

Wild green Oregon grape leaves spread across the forest floor.

Wild green Oregon grape leaves spread across the forest floor.

Another very common plant is Oregon grape. In spring they have these gorgeous clusters of bright yellow flowers, but I appreciate the green ground cover in winter too. They’re very hearty!

Vivid green cedar branches in the dark woods.

Vivid green cedar branches in the dark woods.

And cedar trees are an important companion in this region. I like to say hello to lots of plants if I know them, but I especially try to greet cedars with respect. I feel at home around them.

I won’t narrate the rest of the photos so you can scroll without interruption, but I adore just how green everything is, even though it’s the middle of winter. Being in all that green refreshes me so much!

Closeup of spiky, sprawling green Oregon grape leaves.

Closeup of spiky, sprawling green Oregon grape leaves.

Slender tree trunks coated in soft, glowing moss are clustered together.

Slender tree trunks coated in soft, glowing moss are clustered together.

A wood plank boardwalk winding through the woods has cutouts on the sides to make room for gnarly, moss-covered tree trunks.

A wood plank boardwalk winding through the woods has cutouts on the sides to make room for gnarly, moss-covered tree trunks.

A wooden bench at the end of a winding forest trail.

A wooden bench at the end of a winding forest trail.

And I won’t leave you without a little sneak peek of our photo shoot! Under the Canopy is a cowl pattern that will be coming next month! (You’re gonna need about 220 yards/200 m each of two colours of DK/light worsted weight yarn if you need to plan ahead.) If you want to be sure to be notified when it’s available and get an exclusive discount, sign up for my newsletter!

Pauline is obscured behind cedar branches. She's wearing a dark, patterned cowl.

Pauline is obscured behind cedar branches. She's wearing a dark, patterned cowl.

Do you have forest nearby? Another ecosystem that refreshes you? Tell me about it in the comments!

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Information, promotion, natureAndrea Rangelcolour story, color inspo, color inspiration, colour, color, colors, colour inspiration, colours, andrea rangel outside, fujifim, green, vancouver island, victoria bc, victoria forest, ferns, francis king, franciscking park8 Comments