Last August 2021, Charles and I sat down and talked about how to make the Eastman Waterfront Cottage even better. Armed with guest feedback, we created an action list, and Charles has been working on that list to make the Cottage the best it can be.   

A big draw for visitors and residents of Bowen Island is the abundant nature. Everywhere you look is covered in beautiful greenery. Our guests love to escape the concrete and noise of the city for the tranquility of the forest. But not everyone is prepared for all that the natural environment brings with it, i.e. it's fauna inhabitants.



Here we introduce you to some of the forest residents, a few of whom you may encounter both outside and inside in different seasons, but most of which are happy to stay out of the way of humans.

Photo by Greg Schecter

Big critters

City dwellers may be familiar with the scent of a skunk in the neighbourhood. They usually move on quickly and don't want to interact with humans. Though many folks dislike the misunderstood skunk, they are great at controlling rodent and some insect populations. They are mainly active in the early morning and evening, though can sometimes be seen during the day as well. Look ahead where you're walking and make noise so they hear you; skunks would rather run away than spray.



Mice and rats are part of all human settlements. You likely won't see these swift critters, but we encourage guests to put their garbage and compost in the correct bins, tightly locked, so as not to attract them as well as crows and ravens who love to make a mess of an unclosed bin.

Black bear photo by Alan D. Wilson

We generally don't have bears and cougars on Bowen Island. Once every five years a bear will be sighted, and a cougar once every ten years or so. They make their way from the surrounding coast for a visit, and usually make their way off again in due time.

Photo by Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife

Deer are everywhere on Bowen, and may startle you if they trigger a motion sensor light. Please drive the speed limit (40km/hr on-island, with slower zones in some areas) at all times, as deer will pop out of forests onto the roads. If you see a deer crossing while driving, slow down and look to where they came from, as there may be more in the group intending to cross. Babies are especially hard to see and are not yet used to cars, and sad stories are often shared of finding them on the side of the road as speeding-car-casualties. Please be careful when driving at all times.



The other populous big critter, besides humans and deer, are of course dogs. In cities people are very good about leashing their dogs and going to dog parks for a romp. However, you'll find that some folks on Bowen are less likely to leash their dogs, even where required by law.

Crippen Park and Snug Cove are on-leash areas. Crippen does have a fenced in dog park for off-leash play. On municipal property, e.g. Cape Roger Curtis, dogs must be within 3 meters of adult owners and in their control.

Please follow all leash laws, and pick up your dog's messes. Dog poop goes in the trash, never in the organics bins. And if you are strolling without a dog, don't hesitate to ask others to leash their dogs if you feel afraid or uncomfortable.

Little Critters

The charm of staying in cedar-scented wood homes is not lost on carpenter ants. Ants can appear indoors in the spring but pose no harm to humans. We treat our Bowen Island Accommodations homes for carpenter ants and sugar ants yearly, but you may still see a few here and there; we appreciate your patience with their small presence.



Spiders are around all year, but seem to ramp up their indoor web production in the fall. We realize not every guest appreciates their valuable service in controlling insect populations, so we do our best to remove them to the outdoors and their webs regularly.



While locals in some areas on Bowen report encountering ticks, others report never having seen a here. However, incidences of Lyme disease, carried by less than 1% of BC ticks, are very low in BC, so with some preventative steps, there is little need for worry. It never hurts to do a tick-check of your body after being outside and in contact with grasses, bushes, and branches, where tricks could drop onto your clothes. If you're doing some serious bush-whacking, tuck in long pants and wear long sleeves, and tie up long hair.

Photo by Stuart Meek

Wasps, or yellow jackets, are mostly a bother to humans trying to enjoy a nice outdoor barbecue in the summer, but they do play a vital role in the environment, such as pollinating and preying on other pest insects. We do our best to discourage wasps in and around our homes. Guests can reduce wasp encounters by not leaving sweets and proteins (meats, fish, etc.) lying exposed, as these will attract hungry wasps.

Photo by Judy Gallagher

Mosquitos are less of a problem on the breezy waterfront properties. To ensure none come inside, please use screens, where provided, on open windows and doors.


Of course, there are many other animal species living on Bowen, including eagles, vultures, songbirds, waterfowl, salmon, tree frogs, salamanders, red and flying squirrels, mink, and beautiful butterflies and other insects. Come with field guides and cameras to spot these and more critters as you make your way around Bowen trails.

We hope this small list of some of the animals of Bowen Island will make you feel prepared for your trip away from the big city and into big nature. Enjoying the outdoors (and indoors) on an island means tolerating, if not appreciating, everyone else who lives here too.

A new art gallery, Catching Stars, has graced Snug Cove, in a brand new building. Bowen Island Accommodations caught up with Emilie Kaplun, who, along with Marie Neys and Pauulet Hohn, started this business together—a seed of an idea that bloomed into full fruition with a soft opening a few weeks back.


BIA: How did you three come together with this idea, and how do your backgrounds make this a successful partnership?

Emilie: We knew that we worked well together having worked on past projects. All 3 of us have previously owned Galleries and have taught creative courses and had the desire to continue our passions of promoting art on Bowen.

We felt that we each had something unique to offer to the business. Marie Neys with her background in marketing and running galleries, Pauulet with her amazing skills in graphic design, photography and website design, and myself with a history of running my own retail gift shops in Port Stanley, Ontario and Vancouver, and my education in art history and business.

Emilie Kaplun, Pauulet Hohn, and Marie Neys. Photo by Marilyn Cote-Dupuis

BIA: What made it the right time to do this project?

Emilie: The new pub building was being designed with retail spaces underneath, so we jumped at the idea to have a Gallery in such a fantastic location and a brand new building.

BIA: What makes Catching Stars a unique opportunity for the local artists you've chosen to represent?

Emilie: We really wanted to offer a space where local artists could have a permanent installation of their artworks to showcase throughout the year to tourists and locals alike.

Some artists have the opportunity to work in the Gallery and rent their dedicated space. Because artists are often working solo in their studios, we wanted to give them the option to be client-facing and talk about their work and creative process with the public.

We also wanted to offer an alternative for those who want to focus their efforts and energies being in their studios or who work off island and have busy lives, to simply have their work in the Gallery and we would do the promoting and selling of the work.

Our mission is to showcase and market local artists' work and get the word out to locals and tourists alike about the amazing creative talent we have on the island. Between our social media efforts, our website and all of the promotions we are doing throughout the lower mainland, we want to further publicize the fact that Bowen Island is a destination for those seeking unique art and galleries.

Photo by Pauulet Hohn

BIA: How would you describe the Bowen Island art scene?

Emilie: The Bowen Island art scene is really an eclectic mix of all ages, styles and mediums. When we started the planning on Catching Stars Gallery and did our research, we learned about artists from word of mouth who we had never heard of before, because they didn't have representation on Bowen. We are so lucky to have such amazing creative talent on this island, in so many different types of work.


BIA: Who are the collectors so far for the art that is featured, off-islanders or on-islanders, and why should visitors and locals alike visit Catching Stars?

Emilie: Visitors to the island benefit from seeing an amazing collection of some of Bowen's fabulous artists and a comprehensive collection of artworks.

Locals benefit, as we have brought in a mix of some off-island artists, in order to keep an interesting variety of works and introduce new artists to the island with specific mediums of work that we couldn't necessarily find in our local pool of artists. Bringing in some artists from beyond Bowen Island allows us to have a greater outreach in terms of our publicity and marketing.

Those artists that live and work in Vancouver, the Sunshine Coast and the Sea to Sky corridor are helping to promote Bowen Island by letting their regular customers know about Catching Stars Gallery when they do their shows and promotions. This brings more people to the island and again shows the greater artistic community that Bowen Island is an arts destination.

A piece by local sculptor, Cathryn Jenkins. Photo by Pauulet Hohn

BIA: What are visitors' favourite items or artists so far? Are there favourite subjects that people are drawn to at Catching Stars?

Emilie: So far people have been coming in and telling us who their favourite local artist is, and that they are collectors of their particular work. I have a customer who collects my earrings and hair accessories for herself and as gifts, who has had frequent trips to Catching Stars Gallery since we have been open.

It's really amazing to see how much locals want to support the Bowen market and help the artists to thrive.  We have gorgeous bronze and stone sculptures by local artist Cathryn Jenkins and her work has been exciting everyone as they walk in the Gallery and are greeted by a baby Sea Lion. Our theme in the Gallery is ocean and beach, and it does seem like people have been really drawn to art with that subject matter.

Photo by Pauulet Hohn

Pauulet Hohn's beautiful turquoise mosaics that are ocean-inspired with a collection of seashells have been a favourite, as well as Marie Neys' seascape oil paintings. Both allow customers to bring home a little piece of Bowen. Natural wood artworks have been a hit as well, with much of the wood being found on Bowen Island.

People have been purchasing the Salt Spring Tea that we offer to customers in our bottomless pot, (try the "Bowen Island Berry" tea!), as well as the Howe Sound Soapworks soaps that have been "Bowenized" with local beaches and destinations on Bowen where each soap features a different artist, including artist Liz Watson's "Snug Cove Synergy" bar, and the "Mount Gardner Grit" soap bar which features label photography by your Jan Stevens, of Bowen Island Accommodations.

BIA: Any exciting events at Catching Stars coming up we should know about? Anything else you'd like to add?

Emilie: Yes! Our Grand Opening Party will be held Saturday June 23rd from 3-6 pm at the Gallery. Or if you can't make it to the party, stop in during regular Gallery hours, sip on a cup of tea and "find what inspires you" in our beautiful new Gallery that reflects the amazing creativity and natural beauty of Bowen Island.



Thank you, Emilie, for sharing what Catching Stars is all about, and we wish you a fabulous Grand Opening! Visitors can find the gallery at 479 Bowen Island Trunk Road, unit 1.

Catching Stars Gallery is open daily from 11-5 and on Fridays and Saturdays from 11-8 throughout the summer. Find more information at catchingstarsgallery.com

We reported on round one of property upgrades this winter, and now we're excited to share what round two has added to our vacation rental properties on Bowen Island.

This past winter we saw new entry stairs, landscaping, rock work, and a wi-fi-connected watering system for the Hideaway, a new dock at the Eastman Waterfront Retreat, and a new wood stove at the Eastman Waterfront Retreat.

This spring, we've been organizing new amenities and further improvements for you to enjoy, made possible thanks to the great work of local Bowen Island trades people and landscapers.

Eastman Waterfront Cottage

The new laundry shed at the Eastman Waterfront Cottage is now up and windows will be added soon, thanks to Norbert Puppe, our go-to local builder. Guests staying for longer periods will have access to this shed, where they can do laundry in our new machines. Our cleaners are grateful to have these nearby as well, meaning quicker turnovers for our next guests checking in.

New laundry shed at Eastman Waterfront Cottage

Norbert also added a much-needed roof over the Cottage entry door so guests and cleaners don't get poured on when it's raining.

New entry roof at the Eastman Waterfront Cottage

Eastman Waterfront Retreat  

Island Girls Gardening have been working on the Eastman Waterfront Retreat property, caring for the lawn that edges the creak feature, and maintaining the garden and planters.




Norbert Puppe has finished the dock with views of Hutt Island and beyond, allowing guests to adventure out onto the water without even leaving their PJs (if they so choose!).

Lazy Bowen Hideaway

The new landscaping at the Lazy Bowen Hideaway has been planted by Su Rickett with deer-proof vegetation, so that natural beauty greets our visitors from all sides.

We had a call from a guest recently who was celebrating a birthday while here. They asked us where they could find a Bowen Island birthday cake, and we thought it might be helpful to share our suggestions with the wider Bowen-visitor population. It's common to celebrate a birthday by getting away from it all, and not everyone wants to cart a cake (especially if it's a surprise) from the mainland.

Sweet Stand unicorn cookies.

The Ruddy Potato has some small dessert offerings, like mini cakes, as well as pies, and ice cream and other desserts are available there and at the General Store as well. Lime and Moon Pie Shop has some pies so decadent you could pass them off as cakes; however, they are open seasonally.

Lime and Moon Chocolate Banana Cream Pie and Ruddy Potato dessert case. (Photos from respective businesses' websites).

But if a real birthday cake, even a custom cake, is what you have your heart set on, and you have a little time to plan in advance, we recommend being in touch with Burle & Jess at The Sweet Stand, a home-based Bowen Island cake and dessert business whose products are as much eye-candy as mouth-candy.


BIA: What kinds of cakes and other products does the Sweet Stand make?

Burle & Jess: The Sweet Stand specializes in cakes and sugar cookies, but we also make a wide range of products, from classics like chocolate cake and apple pie to items for the more adventurous, like key lime tarts and tiramisu. You can find all of our cake and cookie options on our Sweet Stand website or Sweet Stand Facebook page, and if you have a specific request, get in touch and we'd be happy to discuss it.



BIA: Do you do gluten-free or vegan cakes?

Burle & Jess: We're pleased to offer many of our items available in gluten free, vegan, dairy free, sugar free, or paleo. We have many taste testers who helped us to perfect various recipes to be able to offer to those with dietary needs without compromising taste or texture.




BIA: Tell us about the folks behind The Sweet Stand?

Burle & Jess: Burle Konopa and Jess Skett make up the team behind the goods from The Sweet Stand. Both self taught bakers who come together to create delicious treats, using old family recipes, new recipes, and classic recipes with their own twists to them.

Jess Skett & Burle Konopa

BIA: How did The Sweet Stand start?

Burle & Jess: The Sweet Stand came out of the passion each Burle and Jess has for baking, and the need for delicious baked goods in Bowen Island. It started as something offered to friends and quickly expanded through word of mouth and their attendance at the local farmers markets.




BIA: How much notice do you need for a cake or other item order?

Burle & Jess: As we're a 2 person operation with all of our items being made to order, we often need a minimum of 3 days, but do suggest booking sooner if possible, and every now and again we can fit in orders for the next day.



BIA: Where can people find your cookies and cakes on Bowen Island?

Burle & Jess: Since our items are all made to order, the best way to pick something up is to send us an email or give us a call. You'll also find us at the farmers markets throughout the summer with an assortment of ready to purchase (and enjoy!) baked goods.

Thanks, Burle & Jess for taking the time to let our guests know all about your Bowen Island desserts business. The next Bowen Island birthday guest to celebrate with a Sweet Stand cake is in for a real treat.