July 18, 2020
In 2011, a group of Nature Squamish (then known as the Squamish Environment Society) members created a butterfly garden as part of the Squamish Rotary Community Garden at Highway 99 and Mamquam road. Nature Squamish member Jim Gracie spent some time this spring maintaining the garden, and that gave me the idea of visiting to see what pollinators are feeding there.
During a 20-minute visit late one afternoon in mid-July, I photographed four different bumble bees and two species of butterflies. A White-crowned Sparrow noticed me in the garden and followed me out to the gate when I left. I hope these photos encourage you to stop and watch for a while, wherever you are.
Banner and gallery photos by Gwen L’Hirondelle