Personalized Gifts

A number of these large butterflies were flying through the Boundary Bay Wildlife Management Area during our early evening visit, but this one was "kind" enough to grant us an impromptu studio session for a few minutes while it fluttered and fed from the local flora.

Beautiful Anise Swallowtail Butterfly in the Sun

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

It's always a wonderful moment when our subjects seek us out instead of the other way around! A particularly bold American Robin approaches our picnic table to stare at us -- perhaps he was hoping that we had worms or berries with us? Based on the original photography of W.H. Sim. All Rights Reserved. See more at zazzle.com/walkswithnature

A Curious American Robin

The perfect greeting cards for bird lovers!  

One of my favourite birds to photograph, and one of the most elusive as well. This lovely male Varied Thrush was a bit stunned but none the worse for wear after flying into a window, but he chose to take five on the cherry tree -- giving me time to capture his beauty from the upper floor sunroom, some 15 feet away.

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

Beautiful Varied Thrush Songbird in the Tree

The perfect notecards for horse lovers! I witnessed a beautiful moment of friendship between these two gorgeous chestnut horses. Were they mother and child; siblings; or simply stablemates? It didn't matter what their relationship to each other was. The importance was the now of the moment. Not even a nicker did I hear pass between them; the simple act of touching spoke volumes for both.

Two Beautiful Chestnut Horses in the Sun

The perfect greeting cards for bird lovers!  There's lots to be admired when you're a Hooded Merganser. Crests are your specialty, whether you're the male or the female. The ladies have lovely cinnamon crests, and the gentlemen inflatable black-and-white numbers complemented by a one-size-fits-all black tux for all seasons with a swath of reddish brown on their sides. This lady, however, doesn't seem to be all that impressed with the two males who are wooing her.
 
Based on the original photography of W.H. Sim. All Rights Reserved. See more at zazzle.com/walkswithnature

Hooded Mergansers: She's Not Impressed

The Red-Breasted Nuthatches who patronize the backyard are all business when it comes to procuring sunflower seeds (although they may linger on the suet feeder). They are even quicker to dash and dine (or dash and cache) than the Black-Capped Chickadees, so it is extremely rare to see the former even perched on a branch for any length of time.

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

Beautiful Red-Breasted Nuthatch on a Branch

The next best thing to having an Orange-Crowned Warbler in your backyard is having an Orange-Crowned Warbler in your backyard when the cherry tree is blooming in the springtime. Because perhaps the enticingly sweet taste of these flowers will make these small, olive-colored songbirds pause for just an instant, giving you an opportunity to capture the twin beauties of bird and blossoms. Photographed in mid-April 2017.

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

Orange-Crowned Warbler Amid the Cherry Blossoms

Give special items and keepsakes pride of place with this whimsical, wildlife-themed trinket tray. 

It's always a wonderful moment when our subjects seek us out instead of the other way around! A particularly bold American Robin approaches our picnic table to stare at us -- perhaps he was hoping that we had worms or berries with us?

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

A Curious American Robin Trinket Tray

Add a touch of feline to your dining experience with this cat-themed placemat. 

You'd never guess, from her playful and youthful manner, that Stella is actually 10 to 12 years older than she looks! This indoor sweetie is as likely to cuddle up to the laps of strangers as she is to those of her regular pair of humans, but she knows how to puts her paw down as far as dogs (especially big dogs) are concerned.

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

Elegant Profile of Stella the Grey Cat Placemat

Add a touch of nature, vibrancy, and splash of color to the living room or bedroom with this floral-themed throw, which features yellow and red marigold flowers.

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

Beautiful Medley of Red Yellow Marigold Flowers Throw Pillow

Add a touch of nature to your tumbler with this floral-themed design!

Isn't she lovely? This female Rufous hummingbird poses calmly for my camera on the old plum tree in the backyard. With the very early arrival (and disappearance) of the males in March and April as they migrate to as far north as Alaska, we have had a veritable dearth of yardbirds. Her continued presence means that life will become much more "interesting" for the resident Anna's (particularly the males). Not coincidentally, we are also seeing more birds in the backyard now.

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

Female Rufous Hummingbird on the Plum Tree Thermal Tumbler

Rufous Hummingbird in the California Lilac Drawstring Bag

Rufous Hummingbird Sitting in the California Lilac Socks

Rufous Hummingbird Sitting in the California Lilac Napkins

Rufous Hummingbird on California Lilac Branch Bath Towel Set

Rufous Hummingbird Sitting in the California Lilac Neck Tie

Cute Rufous Hummingbird on California Lilac Clock

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

WWN Rufous Hummingbird in the California Lilac

What you choose to build anticipation of a gift with is just as important as the gift itself. This gift bag, which features a young Anna's hummingbird hovering before anise hyssop flowers in my backyard, is perfect for bird lovers.

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

Anna's Hummingbird Hovering Before Anise Hyssop Large Gift Bag

Add a touch of nature to the kitchen or dining room with this elegant, floral-themed sandstone coaster. 

Sometimes a mistake can be the path to a new technique. This Crested Iris was actually photographed outdoors under natural daylight after I forgot to reset shutter speed and aperture settings from the previous photo.

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

Beautiful Anise Swallowtail Butterfly in the Sun

Beautiful Anise Swallowtail Butterfly in the Sun

More from Walks with Nature

Other personalized gifts from various stores