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If someone combined the adorably big head and black eyes of a Black-Capped Chickadee with the colours and bill of a Kookaburra in a Jay-sized body, they'd have the whimsically-named Whiskeyjack. Also known by its less colourful aliases of Canada Jay and Gray Jay, we saw no fewer than six at Manning Park's Lightning Lake, where they would boldly descend on picnic tables in the hopes of free handouts.

Based on the original photography of W.H. Sim. All Rights Reserved. See more at zazzle.com/walkswithnature

A Cute and Curious Grey Jay / Whiskeyjack Hip Flask

By mid-May 2016, the Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary on Westham Island had already hosted 10 fledged Barn Swallows! I can usually find at least a couple of them who like to hang around the Warming Hut, as curious about the photographers behind the long lenses as we are about them. Always a pleasure to make the acquaintance of these colourful aerialists!

Based on the original photography of W.H. Sim. All Rights Reserved. See more at zazzle.com/walkswithnature

Beautiful Barn Swallow on a Branch Flask

Green-Winged Teals are starting to mass in greater numbers at Piper Spit, Burnaby Lake, as winter passes its halfway point. A number of these small dabbling ducks are also starting to engage in springtime courtship behaviours. This drake was particularly vocal, and gave me a good angle of himself in the process.

Based on the original photography of W.H. Sim. All Rights Reserved. See more at zazzle.com/walkswithnature

A Chatty Green-Winged Teal Duck at the Pond Flask

With flaming red mascara to match his lipstick and magnificent crest, this handsome Crested Wood Partridge looks just as flamboyant as he sounds. Our first encounter with the Roul Roul proved to be elusive and disappointing. This latest visit, however, yielded multiple encounters with five of them, including two pairs, and a full-grown offspring. None of these diminutive pheasants showed the least bit of hesitance about stepping out--which made us very careful where we walked! 

Based on the original photography of W.H. Sim. All Rights Reserved. See more at zazzle.com/walkswithnature

Stunning Roul-Roul Crested Wood Partridge Bird Flask

"Little Red" sitting next to lots of red: a handsome male House Finch poses next to some tasty hawthorn / mountain rose berries (a favorite with many year-round feathered residents) in the Boundary Bay Wildlife Management Area.

Based on the original photography of W.H. Sim. All Rights Reserved. See more at zazzle.com/walkswithnature

House Finch with Hawthorn Berries Flask

After getting used to the presence of a photographer in their midst, an entire flock of 100+ Sanderlings suddenly decided to take to the skies, and circle the shore just above the water several times.

Based on the original photography of W.H. Sim. All Rights Reserved. See more at zazzle.com/walkswithnature

Sanderlings Take Flight in the Winter Skies Flask

A White-Crowned Sparrow welcomes the day (and enchants its rapt listeners) with a simple but sweet song. As spring turns into summer, we see more and more of this beautiful songbird, who often forages solo, too. This one has just a hint of the yellow crown for which it is named, and even less of the black "V" between its eyes. By mid- to late- spring, many are sporting much thicker and blacker brows, and much brighter yellow crowns. These large, chubby sparrows have a beautiful, easily recognizable song that they sing from dawn to dusk in the trees and bushes (in my backyard, at least). They are more comfortable foraging on the grass, although we have "trained" them to eat from the hanging open style feeders.

Based on the original photography of W.H. Sim. All Rights Reserved. See more at zazzle.com/walkswithnature

A White-Crowned Sparrow Sings to the Sun Hip Flask

Owls are such fascinating creatures. They are front page newsmakers, drawing the interest of birders, nature lovers, and just about everyone else who has a pulse. Snowy Owls are especially charismatic; the largest owls in North America only show up in Metro Vancouver every few years, and their appearance during our winters causes crowds of admirers and fans to form and flock.

Based on the original photography of W.H. Sim. All Rights Reserved. See more at zazzle.com/walkswithnature

Beautiful, Dreamy and Serene Snowy Owl Flask

Keep notes, reminders, and more in this floral-themed journal.

Asiatic lilies are a wonderful addition to any summer garden, and this red orange 'Gran Paradiso' cultivar bloomed just a bit earlier to fill the void left by the early blooming roses. Photographed in mid-June 2016.

Based on the original photography of W.H. Sim. All Rights Reserved. See more at zazzle.com/walkswithnature

Beautiful Red Orange Asiatic Lily Gran Paradiso Notebook

Add a touch of floral to the kitchen or dining room with this stunning premium floral-themed acrylic coaster set, which features a colorful medley of white and pastel colored lilies, pink orchids, and royal blue gladioluses isolated on black backgrounds.

Based on the original photography of W.H. Sim. All Rights Reserved. See more at zazzle.com/walkswithnature

Colorful Gladioluses Lilies Orchids Flowers Coaster Set

Add a little character and whimsy to the office -- or office party -- with this wildlife-themed tie.  One of two Hooded Merganser drakes who was practising his courtship rituals (without benefit of a female audience). He must have been pretty surprised to see his maneuvers recorded!

A Surprised Hooded Merganser Neck Tie

Part brainteaser, part assemble-it-yourself art, this challenging, wildlife-themed puzzle is great for improving muscle memory.

A female Great Horned Owl wows the crowds at the Seventh Annual Raptor Festival in Terra Nova Rural Park, Richmond. Owls have ears that are not level with each other — one is higher than the other, and each earhole is even angled a bit differently too. Quite the sound system.

Based on the original photography of W.H. Sim. All Rights Reserved. See more at zazzle.com/walkswithnature

Staring Contest with a Beautiful Great Horned Owl Jigsaw Puzzle

Take a bit of nature with you, wherever you go, with this stunning floral all-over-print tote bag, which features bedewed bright orange double-flowered daylilies. 

Based on the original photography of W.H. Sim. All Rights Reserved. See more at zazzle.com/walkswithnature

Elegant Bedewed Orange Double Flowered Daylilies Tote Bag

This whimsical wildlife design features a handsome male Eclectus Parrot who tends to be loud and given to overacting when he wants your attention ... a colorful personality with equally colorful "fowl" language.

Based on the original photography of W.H. Sim. All Rights Reserved. See more at zazzle.com/walkswithnature

"The Green Orator" Eclectus Parrot Bird Face Mask

Although their rattling call has become a familiar sound to my ears, it's not easy to get a photo of the Belted Kingfisher in repose. By the time I've heard this well-dressed fisher, it's usually in motion, diving from its perch on a powerline or tree limb into the waters below to snag some unwitting piece of sushi. This lady was an exception, sitting quietly on a branch in the evening sun for several minutes before flying off to her next meal. Most of the time, I tend to encounter the females, whom I consider to be the prettier of the time, with their reddish brown and blue necklaces. Photographed in late July 2016 at Colony Farm.

Based on the original photography of W.H. Sim. All Rights Reserved. See more at zazzle.com/walkswithnature

A Cute and Curious Grey Jay / Whiskeyjack Hip Flask

A Cute and Curious Grey Jay / Whiskeyjack Hip Flask

More from Walks with Nature

Other flasks from various stores