About the Book
Shortlisted for a 2020 BC Yukon Book Prize
A freshly designed, new edition of a funny weekly chronicle that offers a year-long, intimate view of the flora and fauna populating the West Coast.
A Year on the Wild Side is a witty commentary on the social and natural history of Vancouver Island. Composed of short, readable essays arranged into 12 monthly chapters, this engaging book reveals the magic and humour of the natural world and reminds us of our place within it.
As the weeks and seasons unfold with the turning of the pages, you’ll be in sync with the living world that surrounds you. Discover what berries are ripe and the best time to pick them. Learn why the termites swarm, where the herring spawn, and when the maple leaves fall. Get up close and personal with fascinating creatures like the snowy owl, the giant Pacific octopus, the river otter, and more.
The West Coast is abundantly alive, and A Year on the Wild Side invites you to indulge in unforgettable experiences, week by week, all year long.
Reviews
“Briony Penn, already well known and highly regarded as a journalist, TV presenter, and environmental activist, has once again produced a remarkable book . . . From Orchard Mason Bees, tent caterpillars and tachinid flies, Calypso Orchids and Chocolate Lilies, through to lichens and Lion’s Mane Sea Jellies—there is something here to enchant and inform anyone interested in the natural wonders that surround us, whether expert or neophyte. The book deserves a place among everyone’s bedside reading or for gifts to encourage the young in this fascinating pursuit.” —The Victoria Naturalist
Excerpts and Articles