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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

This stunning and colorful medley of osteospermums aka African daisies or daisybushes are early spring blooming beauties and works of art that have both the hand of man and Mother Nature in their creation.

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

Colorful Medley of African Daisies Flowers Flask

Add a touch of nature to your favorite drink with this whimsical, wildlife-themed flask.

Blue Jays may be one of North America's most iconic bird species, but they are rarely found on the West Coast. However, this one has discovered that Ladner Harbor Park in beautiful British Columbia is a great place to hang out and avoid the nasty snowfalls of the east. S/he's been "resident" in this forest since early November 2020 and grants an audience to whomever is willing to shell out a handout of peanuts first. Photographed in late March 2021. 

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

Cute Blue Jay Songbird on Treestump Flask

My first encounter with the dapper little Bonaparte's Gull in breeding plumage. This was the lone member of its species at Boundary Bay Regional Park on Global Big Day 2016!

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

Bonaparte's Gull at the Beach Flask

These two Wood Ducks could not possibly be any closer! Intimacy with your significant other means never having to be embarrassed just because a camera lens happens to be angled your way.

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

Beautiful Touching Moment Between Wood Ducks Hip Flask

Rufous Hummingbirds have usually left Metro Vancouver for Mexico by mid August, so it was a delight to see and photograph this exceedingly feisty straggler in the backyard. This little scrapper has been (successfully, for the past two days) giving grief to the juvenile male Anna's hummingbird who has owned the backyard for most of the summer (as well as the other feathered friends who visit), vigorously defending every flower and feeder in sight. This hybrid fruit tree branch has become its favorite perch, and gave me quite a few photographic opportunities. Photographed on September 4, 2016.

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

Adorable Rufous Hummingbird on Branch Hip Flask

My second encounter with a male Mountain Bluebird. We are gifted, albeit very briefly, with the presence of these beautiful songbirds at the start of the spring season before they head to higher ground to breed. Those stunning cerulean colors stand out on a dreary landscape, even from a distance. When he wasn't busy diving for insects on the local beach, he was highpointing it on driftwood and stalks of dessicated tansy. Photographed at Boundary Bay Regional Park in early spring 2017.

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

Beautiful Mountain Bluebird on the Tansy Hip Flask

This male Downy Woodpecker announced himself quite vocally with a trademark chip-chip-chip repertoire just before making an appearance on this dead tree. He proceeded to peck away at his perch, oblivious of the solitary camera lens trained on him and the many walkers on the trail.

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

Profile of a Male Downy Woodpecker Flask

Columbian Ground Squirrels are some of the most entertaining wildlife at Manning Park, and the first ones to greet us in the parking lot. These "Prairie Dogs of the West" were positioned near their network of holes in the ground (or in rotted tree stumps) and often calling in an upright position like meerkats or groundhogs (when they weren't chasing each other around or kissing). We found plenty at Manning Park Resort and Lightning Lake (particularly near the picnic tables). Columbian Ground Squirrels spend the short summer bulking up on fat reserves for their hibernation period, which lasts for seven months!

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

Curious Cute Columbian Ground Squirrel Gel Mouse Pad

Add a touch of nature and whimsy to your dining experience with this wildlife-themed placemat.

Mid-autumn brings the return of Buffleheads to the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary. While one or two of these diminutive ducks will partake of the birdseed thrown in the water, the rest generally keep their distance from humans and the other duck species.
 
Based on the original photography of W.H. Sim. All Rights Reserved. See more at zazzle.com/walkswithnature

Male Bufflehead Duck in the Afternoon Sun Placemat

Add a touch of nature and warmth to any room with this wildlife-themed candle.

This late afternoon closeup of a male Wood Duck ensured that the fading winter sun's rays weren't casting harsh shadows on my subject. This handsome fellow clearly knew that I wanted solos of him, and was more than happy to oblige me with several angles.

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

Handsome Wood Duck on Gravel Pillar Candle

Add a touch of nature to your dining experience with this wildlife-themed placemat. 

Nibbling tansy seeds in the wet cold wind at Boundary Bay Regional Park was the first Lincoln's Sparrow I've seen in the area. My third sighting of this sparrow, and my closest encounter with one to date.
Photographed in mid-December 2016 during an unseasonably prolonged cold snap.

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

Lincoln's Sparrow on Tansy Placemat

Marigolds aren't just eye candy; they've been used for culinary (teas, salads) and medicinal (anti-inflammatory) purposes for hundreds of years in European cultures. These beautiful, aromatic and showy blooms bloom all summer long into fall and even until the first frost. They are a natural mosquito repellent, and may also keep flower munchers like deer from the pride and joy in your garden. Photographed in mid June and mid July 2016 at local public and private gardens.

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

Yellow and Red Marigold Flowers Golf Towel

Add a touch of nature and elegance to the kitchen or dining room with this floral-themed serving tray! 

Though they last but a few short months, these annuals dazzle with an eclectic display of vivid colors, shapes, and sizes.

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

Purple, Red, and White Annual Flowers Serving Tray

Add a touch of nature to your car with this whimsical, wildlife-inspired air freshener!

These two Wood Ducks could not possibly be any closer! Intimacy with your significant other means never having to be embarrassed just because a camera lens happens to be angled your way.

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