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There's always a joker in the family--at least, that's what the expression on this drake seems to suggest. With autumn returns Northern Shovelers to the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary. These long-billed ducks generally hang out with flocks of their kinds or Mallards. They do not come when birdseed is offered, but can be seen straining their food from the bodies of water they swim in. I have never seen one set foot on land--when they groom or rest, they do so on spits of land far from shores. Photographed in late November 2016.
 
Based on the original photography of W.H. Sim. All Rights Reserved. See more at zazzle.com/walkswithnature

A Flock of Northern Shovelers Photo Print

The label of lovebirds is particularly fitting for rock pigeons; they mate for life, and mourn the passing of their mates much as most humans would. Rock pigeons--like this pair--were engaging in courtship rituals or being overly affectionate with each other in Stanley Park's Lost Lagoon. These morphs were not rare; in fact, we saw quite a few pairs sporting these color combinations. Even odder still, the white/partially leucistic ones were males, and the brown morphs females! Apparently, gentlemen prefer redheads here! The perfect photo print for bird lovers!

Lovey-Dovey Pigeons: Gentlemen Prefer Redheads Photo Print

My attempt to photograph a Rufous hummingbird feeding from the hot pink fuschia flowers on a sunny evening in late June 2016 ultimately proved to be fruitless ... but this Western Tiger Swallowtail butterfly who came to pose in its stead was a wonderful consolation prize!

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

Beautiful Western Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly Photo Print

The search for the male Mountain Bluebird at the North Jetty of Iona Island proved futile, but this blue bird -- perched on a twig near the chain link fence along Ferguson Road by the inner ponds -- didn't disappoint. 

The Tree Swallows have indeed returned to Iona Island, but we saw far fewer now than in March 2015 at this same point in time -- and the females had already shown up, too. I observed maybe 20 in flight and just a few perched like this fellow, and not a female in sight.

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

Sunlit Profile of a Tree Swallow Songbird Photo Print

This beautiful young Peregrine Falcon -- who is being rehabilitated for eventual release -- was unintentionally vignetted when I photographed it through a hole in the fence. However, my subject knew to give me its best side!

Vignetted Profile of a Peregrine Falcon Photo Print

Seafood dining at its best! One of five Black Oystercatchers we spotted on a windy, cloudy day at the Tsawwassen Ferry Jetty over the Great Backyard Bird Count 2017 (Feb 17-20) weekend. The fishing (clamming?) was good ... these shorebirds were hauling in clam after clam after clam!

This photo was the 1st Place Winner in the Behavior Category of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's 2017 Great Backyard Bird Count Photo Contest.

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

Stunning Black Oystercatcher with Clam Photo Print

The only Rufous Hummingbird I was able to locate -- and photograph at Iona Island on March 25, 2016. He flashed his stunning gorget very briefly -- unfortunately, too short a time for me to get a shot of it, but he was quite "faithful" to the lower trees in this area, returning to his perches within half a minute of leaving them. He was still there, holding a small number of photographers spellbound, after we had walked the length of the North Jetty,

He made no scratchy metallic noises while perched, but did treat us to the distinctive zinging that his wing feathers make in flight, and even a few dives, clearly demonstrating the acoustic differences between the acoustic tail feather squeaks of a Rufous hummingbird and Anna's hummingbird.

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

Male Rufous Hummingbird Poses for the Lens Photo Print

An attractive raptor with a heart-shaped facial disc, the Barn Owl is gifted with extraordinary hearing — it can even hear the heartbeats of everyone in a 30 square foot room — and silent flight, which lets it descend on and capture rats and mice with extreme stealth. As nocturnal creatures, these endowments are critical when hunting in (sometimes) complete darkness.

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

A Serene Barn Owl Photo Print

Emerging from the Green: Golden Pheasant Pickleball Paddle

Emerging from the Green: Golden Pheasant Metal Ornament

Emerging from the Green: Golden Pheasant Drawstring Bag

Green palm leaves unintentionally vignette an adult male Golden Pheasant, simultaneously lending a subtle artistry to my capture, while doing little to disguise his stunning gold and red plumage. If the phoenix had a mortal incarnation, this surely must be it.

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

WWN Golden Pheasant Between the Leaves

They're not juniper berries, but this bird--which is rarely seen here in the Metro Vancouver area--clearly isn't finicky when it comes to winter fruits. This Townsend's Solitaire (another bird for my life list) materialized on our front lawn pyracantha bush on December 9, 2015, but it required two more visits more a week later to finally get proof of this handsome thrush.

Actually, he's drying out his wings after a bath in the summer sun. Wood Ducks are some of the prettiest, most colourful waterfowl I've seen in Metro Vancouver. Comfortable both in the water and on land, they can also be found perched on tree branches--the only species of duck that can do so. 

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

Townsend's Solitaire on the Pyracantha Magnet

This young Rufous hummingbird was taking a break from scrapping with a fellow hummingbird for ownership of the flowers in a vast public garden to enjoy a little moment of peace and quiet in the sun. Photographed in early June 2017.

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

Stunning Rufous Hummingbird Perching on Plant Keychain

Add a touch of nature to your correspondence with these whimsical, wildlife-inspired address labels!

It's always a wonderful moment when our subjects seek us out instead of the other way around! A particularly bold American Robin approaches our picnic table to stare at us -- perhaps he was hoping that we had worms or berries with us?

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

Curious American Robin Songbird in the Grass Label

Add a touch of nature to every room in your home with this wildlife-themed switchplate cover! The perfect choice for bird lovers! Normally, I’d prefer not to show photos with cages, but it’s less distracting in the case of these subjects because of my distance from both them and the bars. This gorgeous pair of Golden Eagles is being rehabilitated at the Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society (O.W.L.) for eventual release back into the wild.

Golden Eagles: Beauties Thru the Bars Light Switch Cover

With a warm winter and early spring in Metro Vancouver, many flowers and fruits were ripening well ahead of schedule -- including these bright orange mountain ash (rowan) berries, which aren't normally "ready" for the birds to eat until mid-July. Photographed in late June 2016 in Surrey's Elgin Park.

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

Orange Mountain Ash Rowan Berries Postcard

Add a touch of nature and personality to your coffee, tea, or favourite hot drink with this wildlife-themed mug! The perfect gift idea for bird lovers! 

This male Tree Swallow appears to be quite taken with this particular nestbox ... that look says "mine, all mine." Photographed in late March 2016. These small bluebirds have shown up almost a month later than last year, and the initial flocks are much smaller, too. Also absent at this time are the greyer females, which at the same time last year were already here. Nevertheless, it's still a wonderful experience to see these little birds in action over the water and in the skies.

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

A Flock of Northern Shovelers Photo Print

A Flock of Northern Shovelers Photo Print

More from Walks with Nature

Other posters & prints from various stores