American Wigeons are a common sight in Metro Vancouver from fall through spring, but they disappear for the summer to cooler shores. With 40 more members of his flock, I spotted this handsome fellow wandering the local beach in the late winter of 2015--an odd sight, since they tend to be seen on water or land, but not sand!

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

An American Wigeon on the Beach

One funky lookin' junkie! There was no wind to explain this funky lookin' junkie! The rakish "haircut" and svelte figure of this male Dark-Eyed Oregon Junco made him stand out from his more fluffed-up, smooth-haired counterparts. Perhaps he was pulling his best Steller's Jay.

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

Oregon Dark-Eyed Junco on the Cherry Tree

The perfect greeting cards for bird lovers!  Sanderlings are tiny -- and surprisingly, quite approachable -- migratory shorebirds that can be easily found on Vancouver beaches in the coldest winter months. This one was foraging on the shoreline with 100 of its kind and a few Dunlins. Photographed on a sunny autumn afternoon at Boundary Bay Regional Park.

Cute Sanderling Sandpiper Wanders Winter Shores

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

The romantically named Satin Flowers--also known by their more plebian aliases of Pale Yellow-Eyed Grass or Argentine Blue Grass--are hardy South American, early- to mid-summer-blooming perennials that grow in tall, thick clusters, blossoming in tiers on sword-shaped leaves.

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

Elegant Satin Flowers on Black

A stunning statement of yellows and blacks, this handsome male Cape May Warbler has captivated crowds at Mill Lake Park in Abbotsford. This newcomer to southwestern British Columbia has been spending his winter break here since the first day of 2019 -- odd behavior for a boreal songbird who normally winters as far south as Mexico. However, he has adapted quite nicely, with tasty yellow mahonia petals and nectar, plus plenty of grubs and insects nearby!

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

Cape May Warbler with Flowering Mahonia

The second time I've seen Dunlins since first spotting a small flock huddled together in their breeding plumage (with their trademark black belly patches), on a cold spring day on the Iona Jetty spit in 2010. Three were part of a larger group of 10-12, who were fraternizing with a larger flock of Sanderlings (60) and a single out-of-season Semipalmated Plover (not pictured here).

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

Cute Dunlins Sanderlings Sandpipers at Beach

The lone representative of its species (a recently recognized and separate species of the black geese family), a Cackling Goose (once considered a Canada Goose subspecies), plies the waters of an inner pond at Jericho Park on a sunny and surprisingly warm-for-winter afternoon. A much shorter bill and smaller body size set this goose apart from its larger Canada Goose cousin.

Profile of a Cackling Goose

Looking to score a birdie for your round of golf? You're guaranteed one--in a manner of speaking--with this wildlife-themed putter head cover, which features a beautiful female Rufous hummingbird sipping blueberry blossom nectar in the spring!

This little lady prefers blueberry blossom nectar over sugar water, giving this potted bush a thorough going over on a sunny spring afternoon and myself the opportunity to photograph a Rufous Hummingbird, nearly vertical with the tiny, bell-shaped white flowers she sips from. The backyard is just starting to come alive with birds after being relatively quiet for the past five weeks. Photographed in mid-May 2017.

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

Rufous Hummingbird Sips Blueberry Blossom Nectar Golf Head Cover

Add a touch of nature to your footwear with these floral-themed afridrilles.

If there's one flower that epitomizes "calm", it's the chamomile! What better place to be soothed by the sight of these daisies. A purported panacea for many ills, the tea made from these caffeine-free flowers is also the perfect antidote to the stresses of the day.

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

In a Dreamy Field of Chamomile Flowers Espadrilles

Show off your love of nature with this wildlife-themed luggage tag! 

A Hooded Merganser drake puts in a surprise appearance in one of our newer local ponds. This one is warming up his vocal chops in hopes of impressing the two hens in his small flock.

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

Stunning Hooded Merganser Duck at the Pond Luggage Tag

Add a touch of nature to your laptop or computer with this wildlife-themed mousepad. The perfect choice for bird lovers! 

An adult Bald Eagle surveys its domain below from its lofty perch in the Boundary Bay Wildlife Management Area. Metro Vancouver is home to thousands of these birds of prey, and seeing 25-50 a day throughout most of the year is not unheard of. 

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

Beautiful Bald Eagle in a Tree Mouse Pad

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

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 Jigsaw Puzzle

If you've been blessed with triplets, then this whimsical and heartwarming baby shower invitation postcard is for you! 

In a cute moment highly reminiscent of another bushtit family gathering from 2016, three young songbird fledglings roost together in the sun-dappled shade of the pear tree, while parents and helpers (older siblings) pick grubs from the leaves nearby, while keeping up a steady stream of conversation. My young subjects were only too willing to oblige for my lens. Photographed in late May 2020.

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

Cute Baby Bushtit Songbirds in Pear Tree Postcard

Stunning Rufous Hummingbird on the Cherry Tree Tripod Lamp

Stunning Rufous Hummingbird on Cherry Branch

Stunning Rufous Hummingbird on the Cherry Tree Mouse Pad

Stunning Rufous Hummingbird on Cherry Branch Notebook

Stunning Rufous Hummingbird on Cherry Tree Label

We had our first trio of Rufous hummingbirds arrive in the backyard in early April 2017. This adult male was uncharacteristically taken with the early-blooming flowering currant bush and the sextet of hummingbird feeders scattered throughout the area, and stayed for a week--a real treat, considering most of the adult males usually only stay a day, passing through to more northern climes (Alaska) for the breeding season. Getting a decent shot of him has been a cat-and-mouse game, however, and this pose of him on the cherry tree (with his flashing reddish gorget and rufous feathers) was only possible because my subject did not know that he was being photographed.

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

An American Wigeon on the Beach

An American Wigeon on the Beach

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