A Black Swan preens itself in the pond during the height of a summer afternoon. Photographed in mid-September 2014.

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

Black Swan in the Pond

A White-Crowned Sparrow welcomes the day (and enchants its rapt listeners) with a simple but sweet song. As spring turns into summer, we see more and more of this beautiful songbird, who often forages solo, too.

A White-Crowned Sparrow Sings to the Sun

2017 seems to be the year of Wilson's Warblers, and our backyard has not been exempt from the presence of these small but cheery yellow warblers. The energetic black-capped males have been exploring every potted plant and fruit tree and singing their uplifting melodies. This handsome guy paused on the cherry tree just long enough for me to get him in all his golden goodness. Photographed in mid-May 2017.

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

Beautiful Wilson's Warbler in the Cherry Tree

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

Japanese Andromeda aka Pieris Japonica is one of my favorite shrubs. It is one of the first plants to flower in the spring--making it an early and obvious choice for pollinators like bumblebees and honeybees--and its slow growing nature makes it an easy-to-maintain natural border plant. Its medley of young dark red leaves, mature yellowish green leaves, and white bell-shaped flowers contrasts nicely against a blue sky and makes for spectacular landscape shots.

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

Japanese Andromeda Bonfire

Feeling a little blue? A little blue, thanks to this accommodating male Mountain Bluebird, might actually do the trick and cheer you up! The perfect notecards for bird lovers! 

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

By far, Columbian Ground Squirrels are the most entertaining wildlife at Manning Park, and the first ones to greet us in the parking lot of Manning Park Resort. These Prairie Dogs of the West were positioned near their network of holes in the ground (or in rotted tree stumps) and often calling in an upright position like meerkats or groundhogs (when they weren't chasing each other around or kissing). We found plenty at Manning Park Resort and Lightning Lake (particularly near the picnic tables). Columbian Ground Squirrels spend the short summer bulking up on fat reserves for their hibernation period, which lasts for seven months!

A Twitchy-Nosed Columbian Ground Squirrel

Add a touch of nature and elegance to the kitchen and dining room with this serving tray!

It’s not every day that you see big blue fir cones in Vancouver. The abies koreana is an endangered fir found in the mountains of South Korea. This is one of (at least) two such trees planted on the grounds of the UBC Botanical Garden.

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

Big Blue Korean Fir Cones Serving Tray

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

Airbnb for the birds! We were quite tickled to see how this Bewick's Wren was making itself very much at home in a long-vacated wren nestbox. This is not unusual to see during spring or summer, but completely unexpected on the second day of winter. My subject was content to showcase a few poses for me while catching a few rays of the midday winter sun. Photographed on December 22, 2019, at the Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary on Westham Island in Ladner, BC.

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

Cute Airbnb Moment Bewick's Wren in Nestbox Glass Coaster

Beautiful Touching Moment Between Wood Ducks Hip Flask

A Sweet Moment Between Wood Ducks in the Woods Luggage Tag

Beautiful Touching Moment Between Wood Ducks Trivet

A Beautiful Touching Moment Between Wood Ducks Bathroom Mat

An Inseparable Pair of Wood Ducks Classic Round Sticker

These two Wood Ducks could not possibly be any closer! Intimacy with your significant other means never having to be embarrassed just because a camera lens happens to be angled your way.

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

WWN Lovey-Dovey Wood Ducks

Add a touch of nature to the kitchen with this wildlife-themed kitchen towel! 

The first time I've had the opportunity to shoot a Bewick's Wren out in the open, and at fairly close range. This beautiful long-tailed songbird must have sensed that I wanted to photograph it, and returned my curiosity with its own by posing on this branch for a few moments. Photographed in January 2017.

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

A Curious Bewick's Wren in the Tree Kitchen Towel

This elegant floral design features the bright crimson reds of a large Japanese maple tree in late spring.

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

Red Japanese Maple Leaf Tree Face Mask

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

Nothing heralds spring like Tree Swallows. These small and very approachable birds amaze me with their astonishing aerial maneuvers and beautiful iridescent blue plumage.

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

Handsome Tree Swallow: Bird on a Wire Binder

Invite spring and family, friends, and other visitors to your home with this customizable floral-themed welcome mat! Customize as desired.

A prolonged cold winter snap has delayed the bloom of many spring flowers in Metro Vancouver, but this massive bloom of yellow and bicolored white-on-yellow daffodils at the top of Burnaby Mountain has made up for the lack of natural color in March and April. Photographed in early May 2017.

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

Stunning Two-Tone Daffodils Floral Photography Doormat

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. Photographed on a very sunny and busy winter afternoon at Boundary Bay Regional Park.

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

Black Swan in the Pond

Black Swan in the Pond

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Other products from various stores