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By far, Columbian Ground Squirrels are the most entertaining wildlife at Manning Park, and the first ones to greet us in the parking lot of Manning Park Resort. 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!

A Twitchy-Nosed Columbian Ground Squirrel Photo Print

I spotted this youngster sitting on this little island all by itself at Piper Spit, amongst many other recent springtime arrivals from more distant shores. I wondered if independence been foisted upon it at a very early age, for I saw neither mother Mallard nor siblings in the immediate area, and yet this precocious duckling seemed to be more than capable of fending for and feeding itself.

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

A Cute and Precocious Mallard Duckling Photo Print

I've only met the Blue-Winged Teals this year, and each encounter has brought me progressively closer to these summering migrants! Like Gadwall drakes, Blue-Winged Teal drakes dress conservatively for their women. No flashy feathers are necessary -- just plenty of personality!

Portrait of a Blue-Winged Teal Photo Print

Spunky songbird? Check. Puffball with a peaked coif? Check. Capable of balancing a seed on the tip of its tongue? Check. Many photo ops with a bold and beautiful Lincoln's Sparrow. One always makes sure to visit the backyard in the winter and mid-spring. Photographed in late February 2018, after a few days of heavy snowfall that deposited 6-7 inches in Metro Vancouver.

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

Cute and Spunky Lincoln's Sparrow Photo Print

The African Superb Starling is such a beautiful rainbow of colours. When it makes an entrance, it really makes an entrance; it's no shrinking violet. Rare, though, is the moment when it stays still long enough to get a photo of it, but got it I did, as it waited for its turn to bathe in the waterfall.

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

A Stunning African Superb Starling Photo Print

Extremely tolerant of the long lens pointed at her from some six feet away, a female Rufous Hummingbird--a regular backyard visitor--sits on twining grape and kiwi vines in the cool of a mid-spring evening.

Beautiful Rufous Hummingbird on Twining Vines 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

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 Photo Print

Male and Female Surf Scoter Ducks at the Pier Trinket Tray

Male and Female Surf Scoter Ducks at the Pier Canvas Print

Surf Scoter Paired Ducks at Pier's Edge Postcard

Male and Female Surf Scoter Ducks at the Pier Jigsaw Puzzle

Male and Female Surf Scoter Ducks at the Pier Serving Tray

Male and Female Surf Scoter Ducks at the Pier Lumbar Pillow

That the Surf Scoters of White Rock Pier are habituated to the presence of humans is a bit of an understatement. This handsome and tame drake and hen pair was one of hundreds of these large black seaducks who routinely passed under the boardwalk during a crisp but sunny morning visit in early November 2019, giving great bird's eye views of that colorful and comically oversized schnoz that the ladies of his kind have found so fascinating for so long.

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

WWN Surf Scoter Ducks at the Pier

Add a little character to the office -- or office party -- with this floral-themed tie. 

Truly an "out-of-water" flower! With the exception of its mesmerizing spore-like center, this large blue anemone (not the sea-dwelling creature) could almost be a daisy. Photographed at the VanDusen Botanical Gardens.

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

Elegant Blue Anemone Flower Tie

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 Classic Round Sticker

Beautiful Blue and Gold Macaw Trivet

Use this wildlife-themed trivet to protect delicate surfaces, tables, and countertops from hot pots, or as an accent piece for the dining room or kitchen.

One can't help but notice Blue and Gold Macaws. There's nothing dull about the plumage or the personality of this extremely sociable and long-lived parrot. Definitely a bird who knows how to drum up an audience on a moment's notice!

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

WWN Beautiful Blue and Gold Macaw

Like rodgersia, California Buckeye is a big draw for butterflies. I had no shortage of opportunities to capture Swallowtail Butterflies working these tiny flowers for their nectar. Photographed in mid-June 2016.

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

Swallowtail Butterfly on Buckeye Flower Postcard

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

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

Cute Rufous Hummingbird at Rest Label

Ears lookin' at you, kid! Keep notes, reminders, and more in this elegant, wildlife-themed journal, which features a cute and curious Eastern Cottontail Rabbit, standing up in the long grass to get a better look at the photographer. Photographed in late May 2018 at Boundary Bay Regional Park, BC, Canada.

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

A Twitchy-Nosed Columbian Ground Squirrel Photo Print

A Twitchy-Nosed Columbian Ground Squirrel Photo Print

More from Walks with Nature

Other posters & prints from various stores