Because we’ve had such great response to our new Flickr photography group Wetlands of British Columbia, we’ve decided to start a feature gallery BC Wetland Photo of the Week. Each week a photo is selected from our open Flickr group Wetlands of British Columbia as a stand out image that exemplifies the spirit of our aim to inspire and educate BC residents with the beauty and wonder of our wetlands. While there are so many lovely images taken by photographers who care about wetlands in our province, we are carefully selecting only one among many worthy candidates. These photographs are not only great images on their own, but they also make us want to learn more about wetlands, their functions and their inhabitants with associated text submitted by the photographer.

In this initiative each photographer is contributing to wetland-related education of BC residents! This is really “communities inspiring communities”. Each photograph is featured at the top of our blog for the week it has been chosen. We will also tweet the winner, giving their work great exposure among people who care about our beautiful environment.

Our First Feature Image (above) is titled Salt Marsh and was taken by photographer Bob_2006. Be sure to visit his Flickr photo to admire it in all its large-scale glory! Accompanying this well-composed and saturated landscape photograph is the following educational description:

East end of Burrard Inlet, Port Moody, BC.
Salt marshes are transition zones between the land and sea. They buffer stormy seas and winds, slow shoreline erosion, clean polluted water, and like all wetlands, are the most productive habitats in the world.
Life teems here, albeit some of it is difficult to see. Innumerable tiny creatures burrow in the muddy substrate and feed on decaying plants, bacteria, microorganisms, and even plankton washed in with the tides. A regular food supply, vegetation for cover, and protected waters provide critical habitat for a variety of fish and invertebrate larvae and juveniles, and thousands of migratory and resident birds.
The variety of plants, insects, marine worms, snails, crabs, clams, birds, and fish attract animals such as raccoons, mink, river otters, deer, fox, and (in some places) the odd bear.
Waxy leaves, soft hairs, or waxy powder on the leaves and stems help plants to conserve fresh water and prevent water loss in this salty environment.
This area is also the Pigeon Creek and Suter Brook estuary.
(City of Port Moody)

Thank you to Bob_2006 for this beautiful and educational photograph.