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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

A Medley of Red Yellow and Orange Marigolds Postcard

An unusual bird to see in Metro Vancouver during the fall migratory bird season, this Buff-Breasted Sandpiper was one of two I had the opportunity to photograph up close, and one of five spotted here in 2016. Like the Sanderling, the BBSA is exceedingly comfortable around humans. 

The BBSA is special for another reason: fewer than 80,000 individuals are estimated worldwide (per data from migration sites and its allaboutbirds.org/guide/Buff-breasted_Sandpiper/id profile; actual figures are difficult to obtain, as it does not always exhibit nest fidelity), making it a Near Threatened species. Its dainty, dove-like head, short bill, and buff coloration make it one of the easier peeps to identify. It is a transcontinental bird, flying northwards to breed in the arctic, and wintering in South America.

Rather comically, this one spent some time chasing the other one off. Apparently, it wanted the attention of the photographers all to itself! When it wasn't hogging the limelight, it made sure every lens was trained on it -- regardless of what it was doing -- foraging, resting on the grass, or grooming its feathers.  Photographed in late August 2016.

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

Beautiful Buff-Breasted Sandpiper at the Beach Postcard

A tiny Sanderling looks for a fine seafood dining experience on the shores of Boundary Bay Regional Park in mid-February 2017.

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

Cute Sanderling Sandpiper Wanders Wintry Shores Postcard

Our resident adult male Anna's hummingbird has never let me photograph him at close range, but on one evening in late May 2016, he came to sit on one of the old plum tree branches, just a few feet away from me. 

Perhaps, after seeing how comfortable the four visiting Rufous hummingbirds were around me, he probably figured that there wasn't anything scary about me -- and that I might even afford him some protection from the little hellraisers. So rather than being on the receiving end of his metallic scratchy or tick-tick-tick calls, he stared for a few moments into my lens, and then went to feed from the nectar feeder before making a much less frenzied exit than was his usual style.

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

Stunning Anna's Hummingbird on Branch Postcard

The rapture of a raptor in flight! I wanted to have a closeup of this Bald Eagle roosting at the top a dead birch tree ... but it decided, at 30 feet away, that it was time to go. This was the most dramatic part of its takeoff.

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

A Bald Eagle Takes to the Sky Postcard

Fall and winter bring great numbers of Dark-Eyed Juncos to Metro Vancouver--and these colorful sparrows are second in number only to the diminutive Bushtits for the most commonly seen songbirds in our yard during these times of the year. This lovely female was quite aware that the camera was trained on her, and made an extra effort to give me her best pose.

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

Dark-Eyed Junco Sparrow Songbird on a Limb Postcard

Maihuenia poeppigii may not be the easiest thing to pronounce, but that doesn't make these butter yellow Chilean cactus flowers any less eyecatching. Photographed in mid-June 2017.

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

Beautiful Chilean Yellow Cactus Flowers Postcard

On a very memorable Boxing Day 2017, a dozen of these enchanting but highly reclusive songbirds were frequenting the trees and vocalizing near the Burnaby Lake Nature House at Piper Spit. None seemed particularly concerned about the presence of photographers, and I daresay some of the subjects even worked the cameras with their pretty poses!

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

Stunning Varied Thrush Songbird on Snowy Ground Postcard

Add color and a touch of nature to the half-pipe with this floral-inspired skateboard, which features the crimson leaves of a large Japanese maple tree in late spring.

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

Elegant Red Japanese Maple Leaves Skateboard

A juvenile Double-Crested Cormorant swims by and gives me a cursory once over at Ladner Harbour Park. One of three juveniles swimming in the marina (fairly close to the wharf), and one of five such individuals in the general area. The youngsters have much lighter plumage than the adults, but by the time the former have matured, they're also less likely to be so close to humans. Even from a distance, this species of cormorant is readily identifiable, thanks to its bright yellow face patch.

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

Profile of a Double-Crested Cormorant Photo Print

Add a touch of nature to treasured memories and moments with this wildlife-themed binder!

This Long-Eared Owl, unlike the others of its kind, was sleeping in the surprising warmth of a mid-winter sunset. Completely at ease with the trio of photographers enthralled by the wonder of its presence, this nocturnal hunter napped the afternoon away, rarely opening those golden eyes to stare briefly past our lenses, and perhaps, into the souls of its observers. 

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

Beautiful Long-Eared Owl at Sunset Mini Binder

When Bushtits come calling, it's a sudden avalanche of cuteness in the backyard -- because these social songbirds often show up in flocks of 10-30, feed briefly (and co-operatively) on the suet or whatever else they fancy (calling to each other constantly as they do so), and leave as quickly as they came. Once in a while, though, they will stay for 15-30 minutes. I photographed this damp fellow--who was caught in the morning rain--taking a moment to pause on the laurel bush. Some of his fellow Bushtits were actually bathing on the laurel leaves, like hummingbirds do. Photographed in early July 2016.

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

Cute Wet Young Bushtit Songbird on the Laurel Photo Print

Add a touch of nature to the kitchen with this wildlife-themed kitchen towel! 

It's not a Pacific Northwest winter unless you see the Varied Thrush. One of my favorite backyard birds to see (and a highly elusive one at that), this songbird has a stunning beauty to match the hauntingly beautiful timbre of its song. This handsome fellow was foraging in the backyard with several other wintering birds when I photographed him from the second floor--giving me a rare bird's eye view of t him. We almost never see them during the summer when they spend that season northwards in Alaska, but the call of the colder seasons of the year brings them back to us. Photographed in mid-January 2017.

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

Stunning Varied Thrush Songbird in the Grass Kitchen Towel

Keep notes, reminders, and more in this whimsical, wildlife-themed journal. The perfect choice for bird lovers! 

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 at the Beach Notebook

Up to 20 of these diminutive but fearless sandpipers were braving choppy waters and 14-foot morning high tides on a sunny and unseasonably warm New Year's Day 2020, to pluck the anchovies that the pounding surf was constantly washing up on the shore just off the White Rock Pier. With their dark eyes, round heads, dainty bills, and plump bodies, Black Turnstones are fascinating creatures to watch.

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

A Medley of Red Yellow and Orange Marigolds Postcard

A Medley of Red Yellow and Orange Marigolds Postcard

More from Walks with Nature

Other postcards from various stores