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An itch to go outside and bird on a sunny if moderately windy afternoon in late July 2016 led me to this solitary Black-Bellied Plover on the shores of Boundary Bay Regional Park in Tsawwassen, British Columbia. My subject, sporting worn breeding plumage, was keeping company with a solitary gull. Neither was the least spooked by my presence. Almost as if both were expecting me. Sometimes it really is a matter of asking why not.

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

Black-Bellied Plover Shorebird on Shore Postcard

This isn't the first time I've seen a ladybug which wasn't red and spotted, but it is certainly the first one I've been able to photograph and count the number of spots on its carapace! This beneficial insect is busy nibbling the aphids on the old plum tree leaves (note: this leaf is *not* wet; it is covered in aphid poo!)

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

18-Spotted Yellow Ladybug on Sticky Leaf Postcard

A vigilant juvenile Anna's hummingbird keeps watch in one of our backyard fruit trees, vigorously guarding flower and nectar feeder against the (feathered) competition. Not even an extra-long camera lens can keep this little bruiser away. Photographed in late May 2018.

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

Watchful Anna's Hummingbird on the Fruit Tree Postcard

Even one of the largest bird species in North America starts life as a small chick. My first encounter with this colt happened just a few days after it hatched in the third week of May 2016 at the Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, where its parents are long-term residents. Although mom and dad can put up a formidable defense against potential predators, thanks to their long, sharp bills and powerful legs, losses still can happen in the first month of its life. This was the only chick to survive to that important milestone in Metro Vancouver in 2016. Photographed in the third week of June.

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

Portrait of a Sandhill Crane Colt Postcard

The romantically-named Satin Flowers (also known by their more plebian alias, Pale Yellow-Eyed Grass) grow in a round and blossom in tiers; there are two tiers of flowers above and one tier of flowers below this one.

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

Beautiful Satin Flowers on Black Postcard

The UBC Botanical Garden is home to a dazzling diversity of flowers and pollinators. This honeybee was one of many who found the creamy white and pink flowers of the narrowleaf milkweed particularly enticing. Photographed on July 10, 2016.

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

Honeybee on Narrowleaf Milkweed Plant Postcard

This lovely profusion of small white flowers was found decorating the main "square" of the VanDusen Botanical Garden.  Bridal Wreath Spirea is relatively easy to care for, but can grow up to 10 feet tall and wide if not pruned.

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

Beautiful Floral Bridalwreath Spiraea Postcard

Pyracantha coccinea or scarlet firethorn berries are popular with our yardbirds in the fall and winter, and the spiky branches give both perch and protection to our diners. Mass profusions of these tiny plump orange fruit attract American Robins, Golden-Crowned Sparrows, House Sparrows, and Black-Capped Chickadees -- a daily crowd that can depletes this great bounty within a few weeks. Photographed on October 9, 2016.

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

Pyracantha Coccinea Scarlet Firethorn Berries Postcard

Add a touch of nature and whimsy to your coffee, tea, or favourite hot drink with this wildlife-themed mug! 

A number of small, green, duckweed-covered frogs were seen frequenting a pond just outside of the Minnekhada Lodge, but this cute little fellow took the cake with his unflappable "pose on a hose." Photographed in mid-August 2016.

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

Cute Green Frog Strikes a Pose on the Hose Mug

One of 7 Killdeer frequenting the mudflats near the pumphouse at Boundary Bay Regional Park / Centennial Beach after the first snowfall blanketed the Metro Vancouver region and turned normally flowing watercourses into frozen lakes of ice and snow. In my 2 years of birding, I have never encountered Killdeer at this time of the year (winter is a week away), let alone under the current weather conditions. Photographed in mid-December 2016 during an unseasonably prolonged cold snap.

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

Killdeer Shorebird in Freezing Mudflats Postcard

Part brainteaser, part assemble-it-yourself art, this challenging, wildlife-themed puzzle is great for improving muscle memory. 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

Flock of Dunlins and Sanderlings at the Beach Jigsaw Puzzle

Eastern Kingbirds are welcome and familiar sighted during Metro Vancouver summers. Smartly dressed in black and white and sporting a patrician (some might say, an imperious) air about themselves, I can usually find these feathered insectivores roosting on their favorite trees and bushes close to the walking trails at Coquitlam's Colony Farm Regional Park. My subject here took the cake for boldness, hopping from branch to branch and edging closer and closer to my lens. I could not have asked for a better subject!

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

Eastern Kingbird on a Branch Photo Print

Part brainteaser, part assemble-it-yourself art, this challenging, wildlife-themed puzzle is great for improving muscle memory.

After meeting one of his "brothers" on Iona Island last weekend, I hardly expected to come face to face with another male Northern Harrier -- but there he was, flying over and seeking *us* out after having feasted handsomely a few minutes before.

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

Profile of a Northern Harrier Jigsaw Puzzle

Keep notes, reminders, and more in this wildlife-themed journal. 

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 Notebook

Add a touch of nature to your golf game with this floral-themed putter 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

Black-Bellied Plover Shorebird on Shore Postcard

Black-Bellied Plover Shorebird on Shore Postcard

More from Walks with Nature

Other postcards from various stores