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One of many Sanderlings--seen here in their non-breeding, winter plumage--who have been frequenting the shores of Boundary Bay Regional Park since mid-November 2014. They are quite accustomed to humans, and 15-20 of them flew by and foraged within 7 feet of my camera lens.

A Strolling Sanderling 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 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

Profile of a Buff-Breasted Sandpiper at the Beach Photo Print

The handful of Canada Geese I spotted at the Boundary Bay Regional Park on December 31, 2015, were greatly outnumbered by a massive congregation of 3,000-5,000 Dunlins, a wide assortment of American Wigeons, Green-Winged Teals, Northern Pintails, and 70 Brants--but this quintet, picking their way through the floes nearer to shore for tidbits, were easier to photograph than the rest.

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

Five Goosestepping Canada Geese Photo Print

This is my second visit to Surrey's Elgin Heritage Park, and I really wished to see a Golden-Crowned Kinglet again, my first photos of it on a deciduous tree being nothing but blurs.

My wish was granted with one of several accomplished singers in a giant fir tree, a high-energy, multi-tasking (being able to sing, and flit from branch to branch while hunting for insects) Golden-Crowned Kinglet, who nevertheless proved to be a challenging subject to capture.

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

Cute Kinglet Songbird Causes Stir in the Fir Photo Print

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.

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

Townsend's Solitaire and the Pyracantha Photo Print

This Eurasian Wigeon drake flew in with three American Wigeon drakes, literally crashing the party when I was photographing the Hooded Mergansers. Plenty of surprise appearances today. Eurasian Wigeons are infrequent visitors to North America shores. This is my second encounter with the male of the former species.

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

Handsome Stranger in Town Eurasian Wigeon Photo Print

A member of the sunflower family, the sunny disposition of gazanias is well deserved, thanks to their striped patterns and bright, vivid colors. A popular choice for summer gardens, these hardy flowers bloom all summer long. Photographed in mid-June 2016.

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

Red Orange Kiss Golden Flame Gazanias Photo Print

Take a bit of nature with you, wherever you go with this elegant, wildlife-themed drawstring backpack! 

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/walkswithnaturev

Bird's Eye View of a Varied Thrush Songbird Drawstring Bag

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

I discovered this small pacific tree frog in the backyard. How small is it? Well, the blades of grass look thick in this photo--that should give you an idea. 

The golf ball-sized hopper didn't do all that much hopping, and that let me walk the camera around it for 10 minutes, getting several closeups and different angles.

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

Quirky One-Sided Dialog with a Small Green Frog Jigsaw Puzzle

Great Blue Herons are generally solitary creatures, and this immature was no exception. Its stunning solitude was magnified by the golden masses of withered reeds that surrounded it. Photographed in late December 2019 at the local wildlife sanctuary.

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

Great Blue Heron in a Field of Golden Reeds Postcard

Part brainteaser, part assemble-it-yourself art, this challenging, wildlife-themed puzzle is great for improving muscle memory. A great gift idea for nature and bird lovers!

From its driftwood perch, a Short-Eared Owl listens for the heartbeats of voles in the marshes of the Boundary Bay Wildlife Management Area in British Columbia, Canada. Photographed on a late afternoon in mid-January 2018.

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

Short-Eared Owl in the Marsh Jigsaw Puzzle

Baby's first swim! This is a very young Mallard duckling in the reeds. S/he's not even a week old (perhaps just a few days), and already stroking like a seasoned pro at the local pond. 

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

Baby Duckling Paddles in the Local Pond

This male Pekin Robin decided to satisfy his curiosity of the approaching humans, and flew into a large tropical tree to observe us from under the large leafy cover. Our initial encounter was all too brief and disappointing, but this second meeting yielded the opportunity to study this wonderfully dressed and beautiful singer in much greater detail and length. Our subject must have noticed this, as he was unusually still and not hopping from branch to branch!

An Indian subcontinent native, this Old World babbler is so popular that many other countries want to claim it for their own, and so, it goes by other aliases, including Pekin Robin, Pekin nightingale, Japanese hill robin, and Japanese nightingale. 

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

Colorful Leiothrix / Pekin Robin Songbird Classic Round Sticker

This adorable chickaree seemed to be less skittish around humans than during our last encounter with it. Downright blasé, as a matter of fact, as it continued to nibble on its nuts, with my long lens pointed at it from just five feet away.

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

A Strolling Sanderling Photo Print

A Strolling Sanderling Photo Print

More from Walks with Nature

Other posters & prints from various stores