Personalized Gifts

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 second time I've seen Dunlins since first spotting a small flock huddled together in their breeding plumage (with their trademark black belly patches), on a cold spring day on the Iona Jetty spit in 2010. Three were part of a larger group of 10-12, who were fraternizing with a larger flock of Sanderlings (60) and a single out-of-season Semipalmated Plover (not pictured here).

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

Cute Dunlins Sanderlings Sandpipers at Beach

We had our first trio of Rufous hummingbirds arrive in the backyard in early April 2017. This adult male was uncharacteristically taken with the early-blooming flowering currant bush and the sextet of hummingbird feeders scattered throughout the area, and stayed for a week--a real treat, considering most of the adult males usually only stay a day, passing through to more northern climes (Alaska) for the breeding season. Getting a decent shot of him has been a cat-and-mouse game, however, and this pose of him on the cherry tree (with his flashing reddish gorget and rufous feathers) was only possible because my subject did not know that he was being photographed.

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

Stunning Rufous Hummingbird on Cherry Branch

Blue Jays may be one of North America's most iconic bird species, but they are rarely found on the West Coast. However, this one has discovered that Ladner Harbor Park in beautiful British Columbia is a great place to hang out and avoid the nasty snowfalls of the east. S/he's been "resident" in this forest since early November 2020 and grants an audience to whomever is willing to shell out a handout of peanuts first. Photographed in late March 2021. 

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

- Blank search: zazzle_card greetingcard vert matte

Cute Blue Jay Songbird on Treestump

Extremely tolerant of the long lens pointed at her from some six feet away, a female Rufous Hummingbird--a regular backyard visitor--sits on twining grape and kiwi vines in the cool of a mid-spring evening.

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

Beautiful Rufous Hummingbird on Twining Vines

Being an escapee from an Oregon farm did not diminish the appeal of this adult male Mandarin Duck, whose flight to freedom was rewarded with a constant supply of bird seed and the company of Wood Ducks at Piper Spit. I was gifted with the privilege of his metamorphosis over many agonizingly slow months, as I watched him exchange his post-breeding plumage for the magnificent feathers and stunning color palette that make him a dream to photograph (and a hit with the females of his kind). Mother Nature left nothing to the artist's imagination when she made this creature! Photographed at Burnaby Lake in mid-October 2018.

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

Beautiful Mandarin Duck in the Pond

As Buffleheads don't congregate in large flocks (4 is generally the maximum) but do keep their distance from humans and potential predators (with the exception of the odd sentry, who investigates all comings and goings of creatures other than itself), it was a pleasant surprise to see both conventions broken in early December 2016, when we spotted a flock of 30 at one of the local ponds, swimming very close to the edge of the pond -- and even anticipating handouts of birdseed! Clearly, these seaducks have become accustomized to the presence of creatures like us!
 
Based on the original photography of W.H. Sim. All Rights Reserved. See more at zazzle.com/walkswithnature

Getting My Ducks in a Row: Four Buffleheads

The perfect greeting cards for bird lovers!  Sanderlings are tiny -- and surprisingly, quite approachable -- migratory shorebirds that can be easily found on Vancouver beaches in the coldest winter months. This one was foraging on the shoreline with 100 of its kind and a few Dunlins. Photographed on a sunny autumn afternoon at Boundary Bay Regional Park.

Cute Sanderling Sandpiper Wanders Winter Shores

Nothing says "you complete me" or "your better/other half" than these whimsical, wildlife-themed lovers' mugs. Diminutive Bufflehead ducks tend to be a challenge to photograph since they keep their distance, but there's always one in the flock (usually, a male) who takes his patrol duty very seriously. Catching the colours of his iridescent head is always a real treat.  When the sentry declares the coast to be clear (or confirms the availability of food), the others of his small flock (which will contain an almost even number of monochromatic females) will often come over. Buffleheads are present in the Pacific Northwest from fall through spring.

Bufflehead Duck Lovebirds on the Lake Coffee Mug Set

Give special items and keepsakes pride of place with this elegant, floral-themed trinket tray, which feature white, pin, and red wax begonias in the summer sun.  Customize with a name or surname.

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

Colorful Floral Medley of Wax Begonias Trinket Tray

Add a touch of nature to every room in your home with this wildlife-themed switchplate cover! The perfect switchplate cover for hummingbird lovers! 

The start of the growing season means the return of the diminutive but feisty Rufous Hummingbirds to Metro Vancouver. From March through August, their presence means increased competition for nectar feeders and flowers for the resident Anna's hummingbirds. This fellow was one of five Rufouses to visit the Richmond Nature Park regularly on an early spring day. We witnessed extremely vocal and physical territorial disputes (which were, rather comically, inversely proportional to the size of the combatants). Photographed on April 4, 2016.

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

Stunning Rufous Hummingbird in the Sun Light Switch Cover

A few minutes after leaving Westham Island, we came across this Ring-Necked Pheasant by the outside of the fence of an old farm, somewhere near Brunswick Point. I had never seen one before, either in a zoo or in the "wilds of Ladner." He did spot me trying to sneak in a photo, and hunkered down under the fence and tiptoed in the ankle-high grass. After a few moments--figuring I was gone, since I hadn't moved--he popped right back up, and that's how I got this photo.

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

A Ring-Necked Pheasant Crosses the Road Photo Print

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

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

Male Anna's Hummingbird on the Plum Tree Golf Head Cover

In Memory of a Beloved Pet Memorial Glass Coaster

In Memory of a Beloved Pet Memorial Marble Scented Candle

In Memory of a Beloved Pet Memorial Trivet

In Memory of a Beloved Pet Memorial Metal Ornament

In Memory of a Beloved Pet Memorial Pillar Candle

This pet memorial tile is a touching way to honor a beloved pet, and ensure that they will never be forgotten by us. Customize with a tribute to your pet using the wraparound text, or use as is. Personalize with your pet's name, years, and a photo of your friend. 

Stella (the Grey) was an adventurous lady who never lost her youthful spirit, independence, or zest for adventure. Her playful personality belied her actual age by many, many years. She stared down dogs much bigger than herself; loved her humans; and welcomed the laps and attentions of friend and stranger. She will be missed by many.

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

WWN In Memory of a Beloved Pet Memorial

Add a touch of nature and elegance to the kitchen or dining room with this wildlife-themed sandstone coaster. 

One of many Wood Ducks to call Reifel Bird Sanctuary home, especially during the fall/winter/spring seasons in the Pacific Northwest.

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

Beautiful Varied Thrush Songbird in the Tree

More from Walks with Nature

Other personalized gifts from various stores