This royal purple bearded iris caught the setting sun and my eye, just as I was leaving a private garden on a very warm spring evening in late May 2017.

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

Beautiful Purple Bearded Iris in the Afternoon Sun Classic Round Sticker

Perched on a cherry tree is one of several resident Black-Capped Chickadees. Almost always in motion--particularly around the sunflower seed dispenser--this chubby backyard sentinel looked to be contemplating the future, with spring being just a week away. Photographed in mid-March 2018.

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

Cute Black-Capped Chickadee on Branch Classic Round Sticker

At extremely low tide in mid-May 2016 (the water's edge was some 350-400m from its usual position), shorebirds were far and few between, except for this pair of Least Sandpipers, the smallest sandpipers in North America. These sparrow-sized peeps are easier to distinguish from the other peeps like Western Sandpipers and Semipalmated Sandpipers by virtue of their yellow-green legs (when those limbs aren't covered in mud, of course). This pair was so well camouflaged that I saw only one on my walk out from the Beach Grove Lagoon. After careful searching, I discovered both on my return trip.

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

Least Sandpiper at Low Tide Classic Round Sticker

Although this handsome and talented singer--garbed in dazzling whites, crisp blacks, rich brown streaks, and a yellow/green cap--was quick to regale us with his cheery, energetic aria on many occasions, opportunities to photograph him on the local mountain flora were few and far between. His presence was a delight to local birders like myself, for this songbird is a very rare sight in the West; Chestnut-Sided Warblers are normally found in the Canadian Prairies and provinces eastward. Photographed in early July 2018 on Grouse Mountain in North Vancouver, British Columbia.

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

Beautiful Chestnut-Sided Warbler on a Branch Classic Round Sticker

One of several Black-Capped Chickadees patronizing the backyard feeders. I managed to catch this little one perched on the pear tree and catching a bit of afternoon sun, with the blush of autumn behind it (courtesy of the neighbor's giant red maple tree). Photographed in late October 2017.

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

Black-Capped Chickadee on Autumn Red Background Classic Round Sticker

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 Classic Round Sticker

Here's the familiar adult form of a ten-spotted ladybug, captured wandering up the stalk of one of many sunflowers that suddenly sprouted in June 2014.

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

Ladybug on the Sunflower Stalk Classic Round Sticker

Add a touch of nature to your dining experience with this wildlife-themed placemat.

This male Pekin Robin decided to satisfy his curiosity of the approaching humans, and flew into a large tropical tree to observe us from under the large leafy cover. Our initial encounter was all too brief and disappointing, but this second meeting yielded the opportunity to study this wonderfully dressed and beautiful singer in much greater detail and length. Our subject must have noticed this, as he was unusually still and not hopping from branch to branch!

An Indian subcontinent native, this Old World babbler is so popular that many other countries want to claim it for their own, and so, it goes by other aliases, including Pekin Robin, Pekin nightingale, Japanese hill robin, and Japanese nightingale. 

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

Colorful Leiothrix / Pekin Robin Songbird Placemat

Beautiful Pileated Woodpecker on the Tree Triptych

Beautiful Pileated Woodpecker on the Tree Tripod Lamp

Beautiful Pileated Woodpecker on the Tree Pillar Candle

Beautiful Pileated Woodpecker on the Tree Wall Decal

Beautiful Pileated Woodpecker on the Tree Trivet

My closest encounter with a magnificent male Pileated Woodpecker, who was busy carving out a hole in a very tall tree. Rather than be spooked by the presence of a photographer nearby, this largest of North American woodpeckers would stop briefly to see who was rustling the dead leaves on the forest floor, and then resume his woodworking activities. Photographed on Galiano Island in the early evening of July 3, 2017.

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

WWN Beautiful Pileated Woodpecker on the Tree

Bonaparte's Gull at the Beach Trinket Tray

Bonaparte's Gull at the Beach Magnet

Bonaparte's Gull at the Beach Light Switch Cover

Bonaparte's Gull at the Beach Gel Mouse Pad

Bonaparte's Gull at the Beach Luggage Tag

My first encounter with the dapper little Bonaparte's Gull in breeding plumage. It's always nice to see birds in their breeding plumage, and this was a much-anticipated moment for me with this small shorebird. This was the lone member of its species at Boundary Bay Regional Park on Global Big Day 2016!

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

WWN Bonaparte's Gull at the Beach

After two years of trying, I finally got the opportunity to photograph the cheerily colored American Goldfinch. When he isn't eating sunflower or nyjer seeds, the male likes to perch on the bamboo poles that serve as stakes for the potted plants. Photographed in the second week of June 2016.

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

Male American Goldfinch on the Bamboo Magnet

This is a closeup of flowering pineapple guava aka guavasteen (which resembles St. John's Wort) in the backyard. This is the self-pollinating variety, and one of the newest additions to our backyard garden. The birds have started taking notice, too. Being dark green on the avocado-shaped exterior and creamy yellow or white on the inside, though, the fruit isn't anywhere as exotic looking as the flowers.

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

Flowering Pineapple Guava / Guavasteen / Feijoa Postcard

Add a touch of nature to the kitchen or dining room with this wildlife-themed serving tray! The perfect choice for hummingbird lovers! 

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

Cute Rufous Hummingbird on Plum Tree Branch Serving Tray

Looking to score a birdie for your round of golf? You're guaranteed one--in a manner of speaking--with this wildlife-themed club head cover, which features young Anna's hummingbird having a little me time on one of the blackberry branches!

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

Rufous Hummingbird at Rest Golf Head Cover

Add a touch of nature to your walls with this whimsical, wildlife-themed decal! Perfect for bird lovers!

Love is sharing your meal with your bestie, as evidenced by this pair of inseparable yellow Turquoisine Grass Parakeets nibbling on a freshly sliced orange half.

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

Beautiful Purple Bearded Iris in the Afternoon Sun Classic Round Sticker

Beautiful Purple Bearded Iris in the Afternoon Sun Classic Round Sticker

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Other products from various stores