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With their russet plumage, Cinnamon Teals are aptly named, but their beauty is often not easy to capture, as these birds make themselves scarce, even when they do put in an appearance. Rarely seen in Metro Vancouver in anything but the smallest of flocks, these small dabbling ducks are the largest of the three Teal species who frequent the Pacific Northwest in the spring and summer. Photographed at Burnaby Lake's Piper Spit on May 31, 2015.

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

Cinnamon Teal Duck Looks Back Postcard

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

A rare moment of co-operation and tenderness between Sanderlings (who are more likely to go solo or chase each other during their hunts) in their search for snacks on the shore.

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

Cute Pair of Sanderlings Sandpipers Shares a Meal Postcard

That the Surf Scoters of White Rock Pier are habituated to the presence of humans is a bit of an understatement. This handsome and tame drake and hen pair was one of hundreds of these large black seaducks who routinely passed under the boardwalk during a crisp but sunny morning visit in early November 2019, giving great bird's eye views of that colorful and comically oversized schnoz that the ladies of his kind have found so fascinating for so long.

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

Surf Scoter Paired Ducks at Pier's Edge Postcard

A young sub-adult male Anna's hummingbird was taking five in the scarlet firethorn next to its pommes on an unseasonably prolonged cold snap. Unlike most other birds who frequent this bush in the fall and winter, he didn't seem to mind that I wrestled the window open (however softly I did it), and took a few shots of him next to the bunch of berries that's almost as big as he is. Photographed in mid-December 2016.

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

Anna's Hummingbird with Orange Pyracantha Berries Postcard

As a fan of both Shakespeare and shorebirds, this scene might be alternatively captioned "Baird(s) on the Beach." My meeting them in such close quarters was an unexpected pleasure; a small contingent of these tiny migrants was completely at ease with the photographer in their midst, and continued to feed nonchalantly on aquatic bugs or park themselves on top of the mounds of seaweed nearby. Photographed over the Labour Day 2018 long weekend.

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

Baird's Sandpiper on the Beach Postcard

I spotted this youngster sitting on this little island all by itself at Piper Spit, amongst many other recent springtime arrivals from more distant shores. I wondered if independence been foisted upon it at a very early age, for I saw neither mother Mallard nor siblings in the immediate area, and yet this precocious duckling seemed to be more than capable of fending for and feeding itself.

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

Cute and Precocious Mallard Duckling Postcard

Her cobalt blue mascara never runs! Quiet as her mate is noisy, this female Eclectus Parrot surprised me even further by choosing to perch uncharacteristically close to my lens.

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

Beautiful "Lady in Red" Eclectus Parrot Postcard

American Wigeons are a common sight in Metro Vancouver from fall through spring, but they disappear for the summer to cooler shores. With 40 more members of his flock, I spotted this handsome fellow wandering the local beach in the late winter of 2015--an odd sight, since they tend to be seen on water or land, but not sand!

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

An American Wigeon on the Beach

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

The stern look on this female Zebra Finch doesn't make me take this cutie seriously. The fawn mutation seen here is another one of the colour variations that can happen with Zebra Finches. 

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

Cute Zebra Finch Songbird Sitting Pretty Mug

The search for the male Mountain Bluebird at the North Jetty of Iona Island proved futile, but this blue bird -- perched on a twig near the chain link fence along Ferguson Road by the inner ponds -- didn't disappoint. 

The Tree Swallows have indeed returned to Iona Island, but we saw far fewer now than in March 2015 at this same point in time -- and the females had already shown up, too. I observed maybe 20 in flight and just a few perched like this fellow, and not a female in sight.

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

Sunlit Profile of a Tree Swallow Songbird Photo Print

Festive Red White Floral Poinsettias Tissue Paper

Festive Red White Floral Poinsettias Pickleball Paddle

Festive Red White Floral Poinsettias Mug

Festive Red White Floral Poinsettia Flowers Serving Tray

Festive Red White Floral Poinsettias File Folder

Festive Red White Floral Poinsettias Bathroom Mat

Give special items and keepsakes pride of place over the Christmas holiday season with this festive, floral-themed trinket tray, which features striking red and cream-colored poinsettias. Customize with a name or surname.

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

WWN Festive Red & White Poinsettias

Add a touch of nature to your travels with this wildlife-themed luggage tag. The perfect choice for bird lovers!

I can't think of any other bird that reminds me more of winter in Metro Vancouver than the charming Snow Bunting. I'm not sure why this sweet, restless, and solitary male was not in the company of his nine-member flock, but I'm glad to spot him, regardless. My last attempt to find him ended in success, just as I was about to try my luck elsewhere.

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

Profile of a Snow Bunting Luggage Tag

WWN Golden Pheasant Between the Leaves

WWN Profile of a Golden Pheasant

WWN Surprised Ring-Necked Pheasant in the Grass

WWN Sooty Grouse in the Grass

WWN Stunning Roul-Roul Crested Wood Partridge

With their dazzlingly plumage and flamboyant displays during courtship, pheasants, partridges, and grouses are some of the most inventive and original personalities in the bird world.

WWN Gamebirds

Use these wildlife-themed tiles to protect delicate surfaces, tables, and countertops from hot pots, or as accent pieces for the dining room or kitchen.

Last year, I was fortunate enough to encounter the female Yellow-Headed Blackbird at Manning Park. This year, I saw not one of these rare visitors to Metro Vancouver, but three adult male Yellow-Headed Blackbirds (and at least one female)--the former calling attention to themselves with their golden heads and breasts, less-than-melodious birdcalls, and frequent sparring matches with the more familiar Red-Winged Blackbird males in the marshes of Iona Island.

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

Cinnamon Teal Duck Looks Back Postcard

Cinnamon Teal Duck Looks Back Postcard

More from Walks with Nature

Other postcards from various stores