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

Green-Winged Teals are starting to mass in greater numbers at Piper Spit, Burnaby Lake, as winter passes its halfway point. A number of these small dabbling ducks are also starting to engage in springtime courtship behaviours. This drake was particularly vocal, and gave me a good angle of himself in the process.

A Chatty Green-Winged Teal Duck at the Pond

An adorable flock of very young Canada Goose goslings--perhaps hatched just a few days ago--from the first crop of feathered babies at Burnaby Lake / Piper Spit forages on the grass on a sunny spring day. Despite the human traffic in the area, its parents were, surprisingly, very uncharacteristically relaxed and unprotective of their small brood. Photographed in late April 2017.

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

Adorable Baby Canada Geese on the Grass

One of two American Kestrels we saw whilst driving through Surrey during BC Family Day 2016. Though not a closeup -- my subject was about 15-20 feet above my head and 25 feet away -- the sun lit him enough to capture his magnificent plumage (another photo I took of his back showed blue and orange wings--confirming his gender). My first sighting in the wild of North America's tiniest falcon, and the first time I have seen the male of the species. It surprised me to learn that insects, not songbirds, are the staples of their diet.

American Kestrel Hawk on a Wire

Rufous Hummingbirds have usually left Metro Vancouver for Mexico by mid August, so it was a delight to see and photograph this exceedingly feisty straggler in the backyard. This little scrapper has been (successfully, for the past two days) giving grief to the juvenile male Anna's hummingbird who has owned the backyard for most of the summer (as well as the other feathered friends who visit), vigorously defending every flower and feeder in sight. This hybrid fruit tree branch has become its favorite perch, and gave me quite a few photographic opportunities. Photographed on September 4, 2016.

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

Adorable Rufous Hummingbird on Branch

If someone combined the adorably big head and black eyes of a Black-Capped Chickadee with the colours and bill of a Kookaburra in a Jay-sized body, they'd have the whimsically-named Whiskeyjack. Also known by its less colourful aliases of Canada Jay and Gray Jay, we saw no fewer than six at Manning Park's Lightning Lake, where they would boldly descend on picnic tables in the hopes of free handouts.

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

Profile of a Cute Grey Jay / Whiskeyjack

About 4 of the 10 Horned Grebes we spotted at Blackie Spit were swimming and diving uncharacteristically close to the main walking path of Crescent Beach -- close for Horned Grebes, that is (about 20-30 feet away). The fishing was obviously quite good near shore. My closest encounter with these birds. They are exhibiting neither the flamboyant yellow horns nor red-and-black breeding plumage during this season, but those red eyes and dapper tux are nonetheless mesmerizing!

Profile of a Horned Grebe

My first (and closest) encounter with a Sooty Grouse at Burnaby Mountain. This handsome fellow was hardly shy around the photographers, but kept largely to the base of the trees and the shadows. When the other photographers had left,  he came out for a little one-on-one time, "treating" me to dances around the remaining photographer and softly modulated hoots -- even following me partway down to the playground!

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

Beautiful Sooty Grouse in the Grass

An early morning walk brings us unexpectedly face to face with the normally distant and hard to photograph Killdeer. This is the mother-to-be.

Closeup of a Killdeer Photo Print

Add a touch of nature to any room with this wildlife-themed clock! Customize with or without numbers, and choose from round or square designs. Perfect 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.

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

Stunning Golden Eagles Beauties Thru the Bars Square Wall Clock

Really, some birds have no shame. Photographed pillaging the hummingbird nectar feeder was this Black-Capped Chickadee, who looks mildly startled -- a priceless expression -- but that didn't stop it and a fellow partner in crime from chugging the sweet stuff like a pair of gluttons (once, in tandem!) Based on the original photography of W.H. Sim. All Rights Reserved. See more at zazzle.com/walkswithnature

Black-Capped Chickadee Caught Red-Handed

Stunning Colorful African Superb Starling on Rocks Face Mask

A Stunning African Superb Starling Golf Head Cover

A Stunning African Superb Starling Flask

A Stunning African Superb Starling Classic Round Sticker

The African Superb Starling is such a beautiful rainbow of colours that it is a conversation stopper (and starter) wherever it chooses to make its entrance. 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

WWN African Superb Starling at the Waterfall

Use this elegant, wildlife-themed tile to protect delicate surfaces, tables, and countertops from hot pots, or as accent pieces for the dining room, kitchen, or anywhere else in the home!

An almost perfectly camouflaged female Great Horned Owl attempts to catch some shuteye in the neighbor's 100-foot Douglas Fir on a rainy fall day, only to be subjected to the verbal and physical harangues of nine Northwestern Crows. After three hours, they finally leave her alone to her beauty sleep. Photographed on November 13, 2016.

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

Great Horned Owl in the Douglas Fir Ceramic Tile

Magnificent Red-Tailed Hawk in the Sun Ceramic Tile

Magnificent Red-Tailed Hawk in the Sun Business Card

Magnificent Red-Tailed Hawk in the Sun Jigsaw Puzzle

Magnificent Red-Tailed Hawk in the Sun Pillar Candle

Magnificent Red-Tailed Hawk in the Sun Throw Pillow

A drive down an old farm road on a warm mid-winter afternoon led me to this gorgeous adult Red-tailed Hawk perched on a power line. Said subject was unflappable and resolute in both the face of the long lens pointed in its direction and the constant flow of vehicular traffic.

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

WWN Red-Tailed Hawk Looking Regal in the Winter Sun (II)

Add a touch of nature to your laptop or computer with this wildlife-themed mousepad. The perfect choice for bird lovers! About 4 of the 10 Horned Grebes we spotted at Blackie Spit were swimming and diving uncharacteristically close to the main walking path of Crescent Beach -- close for Horned Grebes, that is (about 20-30 feet away). The fishing was obviously quite good near shore. My closest encounter with these birds. They are exhibiting neither the flamboyant yellow horns nor red-and-black breeding plumage during this season, but those red eyes and dapper tux are nonetheless mesmerizing!

An American Wigeon on the Beach

An American Wigeon on the Beach

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Other products from various stores