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I missed seeing one of these tiny plovers in the summer, but my subject, in its non-breeding plumage, is no less beautiful for it! A rare sight for this time of the year (usually these dainty-looking shorebirds are already wintering along the coasts of the Southwestern U.S., Central America, and South America), this Semipalmated Plover was frequenting the shores of Boundary Bay at Centennial Beach during high tide, in (almost) mid-December, along with a flock of Dunlins and Sanderlings on a surprisingly sunny (and warm-for-almost-winter) day.

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

Beautiful Semipalmated Plover at the Beach Hip Flask

This stunning and colorful medley of osteospermums aka African daisies or daisybushes are early spring blooming beauties and works of art that have both the hand of man and Mother Nature in their creation.

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

Colorful Medley of African Daisies Flowers Flask

A newly adult Canada Goose grooms itself at Piper Spit, Burnaby Lake, on a cloudy fall day, the angular and swan-like curve of its neck conveying an almost regal quality to this bird. Although migratory birds in many parts of the world, some Canada Geese are all-year-round residents in Metro Vancouver and the Pacific Northwest. Photographed in early November 2016.

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

Canada Goose on the Lake Hip Flask

My first encounter with the dapper little Bonaparte's Gull in breeding plumage. 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

Bonaparte's Gull at the Beach Flask

My second encounter with a male Mountain Bluebird. We are gifted, albeit very briefly, with the presence of these beautiful songbirds at the start of the spring season before they head to higher ground to breed. Those stunning cerulean colors stand out on a dreary landscape, even from a distance. When he wasn't busy diving for insects on the local beach, he was highpointing it on driftwood and stalks of dessicated tansy. Photographed at Boundary Bay Regional Park in early spring 2017.

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

Beautiful Mountain Bluebird on Beach Stump Flask

One of a dozen of Harlequin Ducks I had the fortune of meeting at the beach, and my closest encounter with these diving sea ducks. Interestingly, all were adult males in near or full breeding plumage and showing off their slate grey, white, and rich cinnamon feathers, but there were no ladies of their own kind to impress. Photographed on the first full day of spring 2017.

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

Beautiful Harlequin Duck on the Rock Hip Flask

The Bald Eagle is one of the most easily recognizable birds and an exceedingly common sight in Metro Vancouver. Seeing 50-100 a day, soaring the skies or roosting in tall trees, is not an unheard of "feat."

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

Profile of an Adult Bald Eagle Hip Flask

It isn't very often that I get a Savannah Sparrow to pose right under my nose, but this one did, and didn't fly away like the ones who get unintentionally flushed by walkers at Boundary Bay Regional Park. 

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

An Inquisitive Savannah Sparrow Hip Flask

Add a touch of nature to treasured memories and moments with this wildlife-themed binder! The perfect choice 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

A Stunned But Safe Beautiful Varied Thrush 3 Ring Binder

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

This male Tree Swallow appears to be quite taken with this particular nestbox ... that look says "mine, all mine." Photographed in late March 2016. These small bluebirds have shown up almost a month later than last year, and the initial flocks are much smaller, too. Also absent at this time are the greyer females, which at the same time last year were already here. Nevertheless, it's still a wonderful experience to see these little birds in action over the water and in the skies.

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

Tree Swallow in a Nestbox Placemat

This whimsical wildlife design features a handsome male Eclectus Parrot who tends to be loud and given to overacting when he wants your attention ... a colorful personality with equally colorful "fowl" language.

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

"The Green Orator" Eclectus Parrot Bird Adult Cloth Face Mask

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 Hip Flask

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.

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

A Chatty Green-Winged Teal Duck at the Pond Flask

Add a little character to the office -- or office party -- with this wildlife-themed tie.  This male Downy Woodpecker announced himself quite vocally with a trademark chip-chip-chip repertoire just before making an appearance on this dead tree. He proceeded to peck away at his perch, oblivious of the solitary camera lens trained on him and the many walkers on the trail.

Cute Downy Woodpecker on the Tree Tie

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

Beautiful Semipalmated Plover at the Beach Hip Flask

Beautiful Semipalmated Plover at the Beach Hip Flask

More from Walks with Nature

Other flasks from various stores