John McFaul presents nurses at a Calgary H1N1 clinic with roses on Thursday. (CBC)

A nature guide drove to Calgary's six H1N1 vaccine clinics to surprise nurses with dozens of red and pink roses as a show of appreciation for their hard work.

John McFaul, who offers guided hikes around the city and in the Rockies, bought 240 roses for $400 and presented them to nurses Thursday.

In late October, Calgary's clinics were overwhelmed with people wanting the H1N1 shot until the province began limiting the immunization campaign to people in high-risk groups.

"These nurses were working really, really hard trying to keep the things together and all that, a quite demanding system," McFaul said.

'It's a very nice touch. It makes our job extra special.'—Nurse Nasreen Sunderani

He wanted to do something special for the nurses who administer the vaccine, and first thought about writing a letter to the editor of a newspaper.

"Then I thought, you know I've got this extra money and I know nurses like roses and things and I love giving flowers," he explained. "I thought well, I'm going to marry the two things: I'll go out and get some flowers and take them around to the clinics and offer my appreciation."

Flowers from shy guy

Nurses were caught off-guard by McFaul's gesture, but responded with big smiles and handshakes.

"These are the first flowers, yes. And we'll all get one, so that's very nice. It's a very nice touch. It makes our job extra special," said Nasreen Sunderani, a public health nurse.

Added clinic manager Maureen Devolin: "I think that's very kind and a great show of support from the community."

Sylvie Veillette, who was getting the swine flu shot Thursday, gave McFaul's flower delivery a thumbs-up.

"I think it's wonderful. They [nurses] work harder than the doctors, as far as I'm concerned," said Veillette.

McFaul was asked to leave roses on the counter at the Stampede Grandstand clinic, but was able to meet the nurses personally at the clinic in the Avenida Village Mall.

"I have never really done something like this before, so a bit out of my comfort zone because I am kind of a shy person," said McFaul, who has not received an H1N1 shot.