A Blue Poppy, Oh My!

A Himalayan blue poppy with a bonus alfalfa leafcutter bee in its heart. Photographed at UBC Botanical Garden, at the start of our 10-mile walking tour in early June.

Oh Beautiful Butterfly!

This gallery contains 3 photos. After being denied my first butterfly photo of 2014–first by a butterfly enthusiast successfully wielding her butterfly net after a Butterfly Symposium on garden grounds, and then having

One Patient Timbrado Canary

A chubby looking, fluffed up Spanish Timbrado Canary sits on a perch overlooking the seed bowls. Photographed at the Bloedel Conservatory in late April, these birds have great vocal chops (like its fellow canary cousins).

Butterfly Daffodils

There aren’t any butterflies in these daffodils, which are nevertheless striking to behold with their contrasting orange trumpets and white petals. Also know as split-cup daffodils. Photographed at the Bloedel Conservatory in late April.

Red Ginger

Don’t you find Red Ginger (aka ostrich plume) to be a bit redundant? As someone who dyed her hair ginger for many years, I do! The underside of this gorgeous plant is soft as silk to the touch (don’t go around doing this with Cinnamon Bunny Ears, which, despite its cuddly name, is a form of cactus).

the Return of the King (Art)!

Art, the resident Blue and Gold Macaw of Bloedel Conservatory, was absent from his perch when we visited earlier this year. He’s back now, and we’re happy to see him. He’s happy to see his perch. It’s the small things in life that mean the most — right, Art?

Purple and White Tulips

The first purple-and-white tulips that I have ever seen! Photographed in one of the flower beds at the top of Queen Elizabeth Park. Purple is a challenging colour to shoot up close. But so are red, blue, yellow, and white.

Meet Maria and Carmen …

… if you haven’t already met the famous sisters of the Bloedel Conservatory. These Greenwinged Macaws are always playing with and grooming each other; and are never more than a few feet away from each other. One looks to be whispering a secret in the ear hole of the other. They haven’t said anything to us, but know how to ham it up for the camera. Photographed on April 27.

Up Close with a Silver Bromeliad

This silver bromeliad is one of several beautiful pitcher-like plants that store their own water. The spiky protrusions made for a challenging closeup shot. Photographed at the Bloedel Conservatory on April 27.