Personalized Gifts

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

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 Plum Tree Greeting

After the time of many showy blooms had passed at the end of July, this lovely ornamental flower, a South African native also known as the River Lily or Crimson Flag, continues to awe and hold its own at the UBC Botanical Garden. 

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

Kaffir Lily / River Lily / Hesperantha Coccinea

Nothing heralds spring like Tree Swallows. These small and very approachable birds amaze me with their astonishing aerial maneuvers and beautiful iridescent blue plumage.

Handsome Tree Swallow Songbird on a Wire

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

A most enchanting discovery in the California Lilac on the front lawn in mid-April 2017-- a young female Rufous Hummingbird, guarding "her" nectar feeder and gaining some protection from this large, cage-like bush. These migratory hummingbirds spend their spring and summer "vacation" in the Pacific Northwest, and, although smaller than the resident Anna's hummingbirds, are far feistier, often chasing the latter out of their territories for the duration of their five-month stay in the Northern Hemisphere.

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

Rufous Hummingbird Sitting in the California Lilac

Cute Chillin' Mallard Mom Duck & Baby Duckling

Mallard Mom with Duckling Onboard

My first-of-year-Mallard-mom-with-baby-on-her-back (one of eight) sighting at the local pond today. Both are sitting in a little grassy area just off the water. These ducklings couldn't be more than a few days old, and already they were swimming and floating like little corks under the watchful eye of Mother Mallard (who was anything but a Mother Hen).

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

WWN Cute Chillin' Mallard Mom & Baby

We encountered four of these large and beautiful butterflies on our evening walk through the local wildlife management area. Two of them seemed to engage briefly in an aerial dogfight before going their separate ways. Anise Swallowtails are almost always on the move, so to see this one resting was a rare experience.

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

Beautiful Anise Swallowtail Butterfly in the Grass

Add a touch of nature and whimsy with your golf game with this wildlife-themed club head cover!

Birding just a small clearing of forest in Minnekhada Regional Park in late May 2016 yielded two new bird species for my life list, including this Red-Breasted Sapsucker, who chose to fly to a dead tree as I was photographing some other birds. This handsome woodpecker did not call -- but its bright red head did all the talking for it. It was all I could do not to stop and stare.

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

Meeting a Red-Breasted Sapsucker Golf Head Cover

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

Cute Sanderling Shorebird Wanders a Winter Beach Glass Coaster

Cute Sanderling Sandpiper Forages on Shore Mug

Cute Sanderling Sandpiper Strolling Wintry Shores Large Christmas Stocking

Cute Sanderling Sandpiper Shorebird at the Beach Round Pillow

Cute Sanderling Sandpiper Strolls Wintry Beach Classic Round Sticker

Cute Sanderling Sandpiper Strolls Wintry Beach Binder

Sanderlings are tiny -- and surprisingly, quite approachable -- migratory shorebirds which can be easily found on Vancouver beaches in the coldest winter months. This one was strolling quite leisurely on the shoreline. Photographed on a very sunny and busy winter afternoon at Boundary Bay Regional Park.

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

WWN A Cute Sanderling Strolls a Winter Beach

Give special items and keepsakes pride of place with this elegant, floral-themed trinket tray, which features a large Japanese maple tree with a lovely profusion of crimson leaves. Photographed in early June 2017. Customize with a name or surname.

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

Elegant Japanese Red Maple Tree Leaves Trinket Tray

Add a touch of nature to your event or dining experience with these whimsical, wildlife-themed napkins! Customize with your special message.

This is the third sighting we have had of a Hermit Thrush, a lovely singer, in the yard in the past two years, but the only time we have spotted it on the front lawn -- this time, perfectly posed on the pyracantha coccinea (Scarlet Firethorn). The warm yellow you see in the backyard is the neighbor's weeping alder.

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

Hermit Thrush Songbird on the Scarlet Firethorn Napkins

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

Also known by their other aliases of "Red Star" and "Rosy Posy" (my favourite), I found a bed of these small but hardy South African perennials flourishing in one of our local public gardens. Summer brings forth bright pink star-shaped flowers with their telltale hidden hearts -- low growing plants that make great ground cover.

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

Elegant Rhodohypoxis / Red Star / Rosy Posy Trivet

Ears looking at you, kid! This funny wildlife design features a rabbit calmly snacking on fairway greens as rounds of golf are being played around it!

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

Baby Duckling Paddles in the Local Pond

More from Walks with Nature

Other personalized gifts from various stores