See the finalists and the winner!
Thank you to all our contest participants.
The Winner
The winner is Flighty Friend by Tina K.
Flighty Friend
One of my favorite signs that spring has finally arrived is butterflies.
Photographer: Tina K.
Other Finalists
Big Mac
This image captures more than just an apple—it reflects the richness and abundance of nature at its peak. The deep red tones, surrounded by layers of leaves and softened background light, create a sense of fullness and life. I was drawn to its simplicity, yet strength—rooted, grounded, and quietly vibrant. To me, this photograph represents nourishment, growth, and the beauty of everyday moments that often go unnoticed.
Photographer: Petra L.
In All It’s Beauty
The week before Easter, friends arrived for dinner bearing a beautiful bouquet of tulips. They were a rich burnt orange. I enjoyed watching the tightly folded up petals of each flower stretch open as the days passed until they reached the peak of their bloom. Adorning our kitchen table, I also took note as the blooms waned and faded and the petals began to droop and fall off. Even in their translucent and declining, state this bouquet appeared to remain ‘In All It’s Beauty’ right to the end as depicted in the photo.
Photographer: Nancy B.
Longevity
The water droplet resting on a succulent spoke to me in a very different way. There is something powerful about its stillness. The droplet, so small and fragile, yet perfectly formed, reflects strength through simplicity. To me, this image represents endurance—the ability to hold on, to remain, to exist quietly but fully. It felt symbolic of life itself: delicate, yet resilient.
Photographer: Petra L.
Sunflower Sunshine
This stunning sunflower meadow caught my attention as I whizzed by. The brilliant sunflowers stretching as far as I could see, seemed like they were waving to me, making me feel happy and bright.
Photographer: Sandi S.
Photo and Story about the The Eye Catcher
Contest participants submitted a garden photo and story about The Eye Catcher. View the entries by scrolling to the gallery lower on this page. Be sure to read the stories in the captions and learn how the photo captures a story of “The Eye Catcher”. To see an image full-size, click on the image to open the gallery. Use the arrows to scroll through the gallery. If the gallery closes unexpectedly, reopen it again to view the rest of the photos. The photo name is the title of the image in the gallery. The name is also at the beginning of the photo’s caption.
A Garden Star
A Garden Star: These beautiful native spring ephemerals, known as shooting stars, truly embody the idea of an “eye catcher.” The plants in my garden were rescued from a site in south Calgary that has since been developed for housing, through a plant rescue coordinated by the Alberta Native Plant Rescue Foundation. With their striking colour, distinctive reflexed petals, and the fact that they are a bumble bee magnet, they are truly captivating. Beyond their beauty, they serve as a reminder that our gardens can also provide refuge for native plant species.
Abundance of blooms
Abundance of blooms: This gorgeous pot was grown by AVB Greenhouse and maintained by me. This pot could be found at Calaway Park near 'Timber Falls' (a.k.a Log Ride)
Assistant Supervising Gardener
Assistant Supervising Gardener: This cute little gopher lived in my garden for awhile. Eventually, when it figured I had things under control, it moved back to the field beside my house!
Beargrass A moment of connection
Beargrass A moment of connection: This photo feels special to me because it captures that quiet moment of connection—between plant and pollinator, and between myself and the landscape. It was this delicate, fleeting encounter that caught my eye and stayed with me long after the hike in the continental divide.
Beautiful Blue Beauties
Beautiful Blue Beauties: What is not to love? Beautiful blue beauties, a vibrant colour range, the vertical height, pollinators paradise - theyattract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Great at supporting biodiversity, but the neighbourhood deer do not eatthem. They have a romantic feel, kind of Victorian adding height to an bouquets.
Beautiful Bumble!
Beautiful Bumble!: I love bumble bees around my flowers and nesting in my yard. I believe this is B. ternarius!
Bee Thankful
Bee Thankful: I like to watch the bees in their diligent gathering activities. I am trying to be conscious of having flowers in my gardenthat attract these necessary insects. I'm so thankful when I see many groups of bees coming to the flowers. Then Iknow that they are happy here.
Between a rock and a hard place
Between a rock and a hard place: Finding beauty in the unlikeliest places always makes me feel grateful and alive.
BEWARE OF SKUNKS!
BEWARE OF SKUNKS!: MR MUDD PUDDLE WAS OUT IN THE YARD AND GOT A LITTLE TOO CLOSE TO THE VISITING SKUNK. HE WASVERY SORRY!
Big Mac
Big Mac: This image captures more than just an apple—it reflects the richness and abundance of nature at its peak. The deep red tones, surrounded by layers of leaves and softened background light, create a sense of fullness and life. I was drawn to its simplicity, yet strength—rooted, grounded, and quietly vibrant. To me, this photograph represents nourishment, growth, and the beauty of everyday moments that often go unnoticed.
Black Swan Poppy
Black Swan Poppy: I love poppies. The Black Swan poppy is so intricately beautiful, it brings me joy.
Blooming in the rain
Blooming in the rain: I went to Reader Rock Garden to photograph the flowers and was disappointed it was a little breezy and rainy. The soft light and raindrops under the canopy ended up being great for capturing the delicate peonies as they bowed down from the raindrops.
Bringing Springtime Inside
Bringing Springtime Inside: Bringing fresh flowers into my home is a complete joy especially in spring. These color combo of tulips and irises is striking against a black backdrop. Lots of fun was had to get this image.
Busy Bee on Phyteuma Scheuchzeri
Busy Bee on Phyteuma Scheuchzeri: I always love taking pictures of bees while they're busy collecting pollen on plants. I love the colour of the flowers. This was a wet and overcast day so I think the colours were more vibrant.
Cherish our pollinators
Cherish our pollinators: I was checking on my gardens and thought how giving the potentilla was with its cheery yellow flower then I saw an extremely happy bee.
Chocolate mint? No thanks, I'm on a diet.
Chocolate mint? No thanks, I'm on a diet.: Captured these woodland skipper butterflies, one enjoying my chocolate mint. The other, watching their figure and moving onto other healthier alternatives.
Colorful harvest
Colorful harvest: I love the way the different colors of potatoes go together with the carrots and melons. This makes gardening fun!!
Dance Among Petals
Dance Among Petals: Taken in Butterfly World, Victoria, BC, this image reflects my love for butterflies and photography. I’m especially drawn to how the butterfly’s colours pop against the garden’s rich greens and yellows.
Delicate Beauty
Delicate Beauty: This was taken on a hike in British Columbia. It was tiny, subtle, and I almost walked past it. I was pleased with how this photo gave it the recognition and stature it deserves. I am still not sure what the name of this flower is!
Diana's Bloom
Diana's Bloom: Diana, Princess of Wales, was someone I greatly admired, and this rose stands as a lasting memorial to her.
Early ninebark
Early ninebark: I took this photos in my brother’s yard in Fernie while completing my project for my Master Gardener certificate. The vibrant leaves are remarkable.
Easy Peasy
Easy Peasy: I am sentimental about Sweet Peas. The first flower I ever grew from a seen. I think I was only 5 or 6. They were easy to grow, fun to watch and rewarding as they bloomed so much. The variety of colour, the scent from back alley growing up in the 1970's they were a common garden favourite.They truly are a sentimental scented beauty.
Elephant Heads in Alberta
Elephant Heads in Alberta: I love the unusual and whimsical form of this rare wild flower. This photo is special to me because it captures that sense of discovery — the joy of noticing something small and extraordinary when you least expect it. It’s a reminder of how much beauty reveals itself when you slow down and really look. It was taken in Alberta.
Fall bounty
Fall bounty: I love to use my fall sunflowers and surprise squashes I grew in my garden. They make wonderful centre pieces for gatherings at the table. …and great conversation starters.
FALL FLOWERS
FALL FLOWERS: I WAS STRUCK BY THE BEAUTY OF THIS WILD GARDEN I PLANTED ON THE ESCARPMENT ABOVE THE ELBOW RIVER.
FEAST FOR THE EYES
FEAST FOR THE EYES: Owls are an exciting and awe inspiring birds. They are mysterious, graceful and beneficial creatures. Owls attract our attention as their heads turn completely backwards. This extreme rotation enables them to track prey and detect threats.Owls are excellent to have around your yard because they provide natural, chemical-free pest control by hunting mice, voles, as well as insects. Because owls consume these rodents and insects, therefore protecting garden plants and reducing the need for poisons. They are a great solution to keeping your garden and the ecosystem healthy.This adorable Northern Saw-Whet owl moved into a squirrel house in Silver Springs for the winter. The biodiversity and sheer amount of nature of our city never ceases to amaze me!
Feeding on the aphids
Feeding on the aphids: This crab spider fed for several days on a aphid infested plant in our garden. My grandchildren especially enjoyed trying to spot the little spider which was difficult since it had chosen a plant that camouflaged it so well.
Fire in the Meadow
Fire in the Meadow: I love the photo because paintbrush is such an iconic Alberta wildflower of the mountains. The photo was taken while hiking in the continental divide, where the landscape is vast, rugged, and often dominated by rock. The paintbrush stood out like a tiny flame burning in a place shaped by extremes.
Flighty friend
Flighty friend: One of my favorite signs that spring has finally arrived is butterflies.
FOREST IN THE FOREST
FOREST IN THE FOREST: I TOOK THIS PICTURE IN THE FOREST BEHIND OUR HOUSE. I'M AMAZED AT HOW MANY KINDS OF MUSHROOMS THERE ARE. THOUGHT IT WAS A GREAT PERSPECTIVE.
Frosted Berries
Frosted Berries: Our Mountain Ash is a fine specimen that produced a bumper crop of reddish-orange pommes (not really berries) last season. The stark contrast between the Rowan's multi-directional branches and the linear fence lines coupled with red fruit, all of which is shrouded in hoarfrost makes for an excellent winter garden photograph. In my humble opinion, at least!
Garden at Rest
Garden at Rest: We take for granted the time our gardens sleep. This photo I captured during one of our frost mornings.In Calgary and area we do not get to experience the beauty of frost very often because of wind and lack of humidity. This photo is like an exhale of breath for me, our gardens taking that sleepy time to slow down, rejuvenate and rest. Nature at its best in winter.
Garden Visitor
Garden Visitor: I love to welcome birds to my garden. Bunnies have come to visit. It was a surprise one afternoon, while I was having lunch on the patio, a family of bobcats came to visit. A mom and two kittens took advantage of the fountain and each took a turn to have a refreshing drink. They stayed for about an hour and then hopped over the fence to the neighbour's garden.
Grandpa's Favourite
Grandpa's Favourite: Poppies are a great flower. Resilient and cheerful. I appreciate that they bloom consistently. My grand parents had them as a border around their backyard while I was a kid growing up. I knew they had significance to both my great grand parents and my grandma and grandpa. No one really talked about the war or their service but growing up and attending Remembrance Day events as an important family event.
Hanging out with the Slippers
Hanging out with the Slippers: Always a joyful moment seeing the "slippers" in the spring. They bring hope of a beautiful season to come with their resilience and uniqueness.
Hellebore Dreaming
Hellebore Dreaming: A visit to a local garden centre brought memories of spring in Victoria. I was so envious of these plants that were living in a garden I visited there a few years ago. They were growing in a huge rock garden in many different colours. When I spotted them in the garden centre and asked if they would survive here in Calgary, I was told YES! I'm So excited and may purchase at least one of these beauties for my garden…
In All It's Beauty
In All It's Beauty: The week before Easter, friends arrived for dinner bearing a beautiful bouquet of tulips. They were a rich burnt orange. I enjoyed watching the tightly folded up petals of each flower stretch open as the days passed until they reached the peak of their bloom. Adorning our kitchen table, I also took note as the blooms waned and faded and the petals began to droop and fall off. Even in their translucent and declining, state this bouquet appeared to remain 'In All It's Beauty' right to the end as depicted in the photo.
In Our Garden Busy Bee 1
In Our Garden Busy Bee 1: On a sunny day I find pleasure watching pollinators in my mother's small flower garden. I marvel at their diligence and high concentration when consuming nectar. They seem either unusually accepting or oblivious to my presence. Regardless this is advantageous as it allows me to get close and capture their intimate activity.
In Our Garden Busy Bee 2
In Our Garden Busy Bee 2: On a sunny day I find pleasure watching pollinators in my mother's small flower garden. I marvel at their diligence and high concentration when consuming nectar. They seem either unusually accepting or oblivious to my presence. Regardless this is advantageous as it allows me to come close and capture their intimate activity.
In Our Garden Fly Delight
In Our Garden Fly Delight: On a sunny day I find pleasure watching pollinators in my mother's small flower garden. I marvel at their diligence and high concentration when consuming nectar. They seem either unusually accepting or oblivious to my presence. Regardless this is advantageous as it allows me to come close and capture their intimate activity.
Is this what I think it is? Is this a sweet treat?
Is this what I think it is? Is this a sweet treat?: I love this photograph because it transports me right into the world a world of wonder and discovery. The delicate colours and textures evoke anticipation and interest in what what this cornflower might taste like. It was captured sitting, waiting on the ground in my cornflower patch for the right subject to come by.
Jagged Joy
Jagged Joy: These distinctive Mexican species stopped me in my tracks as my husband and I strolled along Supermanza 4 in Cancun this past February. The contrast of the green upper surface to the bright purple undersurface just glowed in the hot afternoon sun.These low-growing spreading ground cover, Tradescantia spathacea, were growing in a rather unattractive rectangular concrete planter which was part the stairway entrance to a business along this road, so I focused on the foliage, with it's jagged pattern and wonderful colours.
Joys of Spring
Joys of Spring: I like this picture because the crocus look so vibrant and cheery amidst the dry, brown leaves from the fall, a true sign of spring! These bulbs were planted quickly in the fall just prior to a snowstorm with me not sure they would emerge in the spring, yet there they are! Blooming! Such a wonder of nature.
Just going about my business
Just going about my business: Had to keep a memory of one of the thousands of bees (and other insects) that visit my yard every year.
Longevity
Longevity: The water droplet resting on a succulent spoke to me in a very different way. There is something powerful about its stillness. The droplet, so small and fragile, yet perfectly formed, reflects strength through simplicity. To me, this image represents endurance—the ability to hold on, to remain, to exist quietly but fully. It felt symbolic of life itself: delicate, yet resilient.
Lovely Lavender
Lovely Lavender: This Spanish Lavender caught my eye with its upright pretty presence poking out of the ground along a hike in Mallorca in the Spring last year.
Masterwort Closeup
Masterwort Closeup: Astrantia major or Masterwort is a very showy woodland perennial with delicate, dissected foliage and stout stems bearing crispy, papery flowers of creamy white and green with hints of pink. I particularly like the woodland perennials because they are so delicate.
Nature Is Amazing
Nature Is Amazing: Sometimes in nature I see things that seem too good to be true. This Red Powder Puff plant in the conservatory at the Calgary Zoo is one of them. It is so beautiful and unique that all I can do is step back, enjoy it, and be inspired by how amazing nature truly is.
Nature’s Concealed Treasure
Nature’s Concealed Treasure: At first glance, this image appears to be a simple lily bathed in light. But nature has a way of hiding its most intimate moments in plain sight. As I paused and looked closer, I discovered a quiet world within—a bee moving gently and two mating butterflies sharing a fleeting moment. It felt like witnessing a secret. This photograph reminds me that beauty often lies beneath the surface, waiting for us to slow down and truly see.
Nostalgia
Nostalgia: Bleeding hearts are from my childhood 70 some years ago and originally slips come from my mom’s garden. They are as hearty and beautiful today bursting with colour and memories of the childhood fairy tale told as we picked them apart. My mom is always in my garden..
Opening up to the warmth of the sun
Opening up to the warmth of the sun: I love these Chinese Rockii tree peonies. Took me a few years to understand them, as I was treating them like the herbaceous peonies, which they are not! And the scent is heavenly!
Overwintering Lady-Beetles
Overwintering Lady-Beetles: I was doing the garden spring clean up when I came across this loveliness of Lady Beetles all tucky-pooed into a Lady's Mantle leaf.
Pansies overflowing
Pansies overflowing: Pansies spilling everywhere. They are a sure sign of summer and I have planted many throughout my garden. They never fail to make one smile.
Peek-a-boo!
Peek-a-boo!: My cat thinks she can hide from me in the potentilla shrub, her favourite spot to spy on the birds from a distance.
Peeking Through the Fence
Peeking Through the Fence: I was in a friend’s backyard and spotted her next door neighbours’ rose poking through her fence.I thought…. what are the chances….
Peony water bowl
Peony water bowl: I can’t express how much I love absolutely everything about peonies. My mom also loved them and this past peonyseason I heard about a peony water bowl and they last longer and so the first bloom of each of my peony plants id cutand put in the bowl and they all started to bloom on my moms bday before she passed , I felt she was saying hey I’mstill here with you and so the bowl represents my mom’s and my love affair with peonies, she also shared this love withher mom and her moms mom.when I took the photo I felt that the morning light really reflected the beauty of theseflowers and I’m not a photographer.
Pink Perfection
Pink Perfection: My first time growing Peony Poppies from seed. I love this picture as it shows a combination of my two favorite flowers…..Peonies and Poppies
Red Rose beauty
Red Rose beauty: This natural beauty, so stunning and bright, caught my eye in the midst of some ruins on route to see the Coliseum in Rome.
Royal Purple
Royal Purple: These tall bearded Iris grow happily in the shade, which lighting lends itself well to the vibrancy of the royal purple sepals and the rich green of the foliage. A regal looking flower indeed.
Royal spring show
Royal spring show: I always love the rich purples and greens of the lilacs in the spring. They are the colours of royalty and the aroma is intoxicating. I found the sun highlighted how incredible they are.
Sagebrush mariposa lily
Sagebrush mariposa lily: This flower is impossible to walk past without a closer look. I spotted this one among the dry grass and leaves on a hike near Vernon. The Kelowna native plant nursery said that they are notoriously hard to cultivate.
Scarlet Spring
Scarlet Spring: This is an older photo taken years ago in my garden in spring. Sometimes when we zoom in and pay attention to the many ways light and flowers interact, it is breathtaking!
Sedum and a friend
Sedum and a friend: This is in my back garden. Sedum is a common plant and can be overlooked. But not by the bees.
SHOW STOPPER ANNABELLE HYDRANGEA
SHOW STOPPER ANNABELLE HYDRANGEA: This white hydrangea is one of the showiest shade-loving woody shrubs available to gardeners. It has some of the most spectacular bright, white, globe-shaped flowers. They bloom through summer to fall.They produce a great profusion of large, white flowers on the tip their branches, and these cover the entire plant canopy. Extremely hardy ( Zone 3 - 4), a reliable bloomer on new wood and tolerates Calgary’s shaded spots and cooler climate.Annabelle attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies with its large blooms. While it doesn’t produce a significant amount of nectar or pollen its dense forage provides shelter for small wildlife. Leave the flowers alone as they dry to an attractive tan color and providing interesting texture and much needed winter interest in the garden.I always wait till until spring growth emerges and only trim back portions of the stems that died back over winter.
Showy Milkweed
Showy Milkweed: There’s something about the flowers of showy milkweed that always catches my eye—perhaps the symmetry of each individual bloom, or the near perfectly rounded shape of the flowerhead. Whatever the reason, this native plant is always a welcome presence in my garden.
Spring is here
Spring is here: I enjoy the vibrant colors of this plant. It is my first flowering perennial in my garden.
Spring Magic
Spring Magic: While the sun displays her furry wonder, I caught my pulsatilla, her charm flamboyant.
Study in Green
Study in Green: This photo was taken from our community garden perimeter bed which contains many bushes and flowers. I love the composition with the blurred green background which gives stronger identity to the central image.
Sunflower Seeking Shelter
Sunflower Seeking Shelter: I was excited to find a little sunflower growing unexpectedly beneath a 12-foot sunflower at the end of August. I took the photo as seeing this new flower felt like a surprise, as I had planted annuals the year before. This sunflower showed that creativity can bloom anywhere when curiosity and strength are present. It's a reminder to stand tall with courage, no matter the odds, just keep growing!
The blossoms returned
The blossoms returned: A few years in a row this double flowering plum had little to no blossoms. In Spring 2025 it came to life with countless blooms, that is why this photo is so special to me. I hope it does the same in 2026!
Sunflower Sunshine
Sunflower Sunshine: This stunning sunflower meadow caught my attention as I whizzed by. The brilliant sunflowers stretching as far as my eyes could see, seemed like they waving to me putting a big smile on my face.
The Color Purple
The Color Purple: Iris flowers are so very unique and purple is my favorite color so I never miss an opportunity to photograph any flowers that match this criteria.
The gladiator
The gladiator: I look forward to it's bloom and scent each spring day walking out my front door.
The Unexpected Sunflower Chickadee
The Unexpected Sunflower Chickadee: This was a winter morning visiting my Dad on the farm where I grew up. It was a beautiful foggy morning so I went for a walk with my camera. I felt so lucky to capture this scene...my favorite bird perched on my favorite flower. It was such a beautiful winter morning.
The wedding tree
The wedding tree: Our Mock Orange shrub provided the perfect photo background as well as scent for our son’s wedding. The wee little hand trying to cup the flowering branch is our granddaughter. Even today she is always asking me what kind of flower is this Nanny.
Tiny Spring Hero
Tiny Spring Hero: This is the first year I planted snowdrops. These beautiful tough little flowers first emerged the last week of March. They have withstood all the spring snow and they make me smile every time I see them.
Very Beecoming
Very Beecoming: First time I planted Sunflowers. They grew so big and yellow I just couldn’t help taking this picture since this bee thought so too!
Vibrant Pink Peony on a Rainy Day
Vibrant Pink Peony on a Rainy Day: Peonies are my very favourite flowers for the prairies. They don't need a lot of water and once they're established, they produce massive amounts of blooms. This beautiful pink peony has rain drops that haven't evaporated yet, as it had been gently raining in the morning.
VISION OF LOVELINESS
VISION OF LOVELINESS: Dahlias are popular, rewarding and versatile plants grown for their spectacular, varied blooms that appear from midsummer to late fall. Often when other plants have faded.Dahlias help the ecosystem by acting as a valuable late-summer nectar and pollen source for pollinators, including bees, ladybugs, butterflies, and beneficial insects. They are a "magnet" for these pollinators during midsummer to late autumn, a crucial time for nectar foraging.Their diverse, open-centred varieties are best for supporting biodiversity, while their root systems can improve soil structure, and they thrive without becoming invasive.Cosmos are generally pollinators magnets, attracting beneficial insects like bees, butterflies, lacewings and parasite wasps which can help control pests.Cosmos are incredibly easy to grow, seeds can be started indoors or directly in the garden beds, once the weather warms up. They are truly a cut and come again flower, the more you harvest them the more they bloom.
Waterlily means Rebirth
Waterlily means Rebirth: Waterlilies are symbolic of rebirth because the flowers close at night and come back in the morning.
Thank you for helping us select the finalists.
Thank you to everyone who entered the contest: Allison Scovil, Andrew Hutton, Angie Botan, Barbara Brown, Catherine Gouthro, Curtis Reynolds, Cynthia Sim, Dara Oosterlee, Deborah Cocolicchio, Elaine Haggith, Elizabeth Girling, Elizabeth Macphail, Gail Sjonnesen, Heather Knorr, Heather Pedersen, Jan Mosimann, Jean Kensit, Joanne McKee, Karen Bolger, Karen C Begg, Leslie Dort, Leslie Pinter, Lindsay Watkinson, Lynda Neilson, Lynne Nieman, Lisa Scott, Lorna Hightower, Mandy McCoy, Marg Hart, Marian Mulligan, Marlene Schneider, Maureen Schulz, Maureen Tritscher, Michelle Elke, Nancy Baxter, Patti Milner, Petra Lange, Rebecca (Becky) Leonard, Rebecca Patzelt, Sandi S, Sheila Lucas, Tina Kovacsics ,Victoria Arling
