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It's always a wonderful moment when our subjects seek us out instead of the other way around! A particularly bold American Robin approaches our picnic table to stare at us -- perhaps he was hoping that we had worms or berries with us?

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

Curious American Robin Songbird in the Grass Magnet

This gorgeous loner, a late migrant Ruddy Turnstone, had no qualms about the myriad of lenses pointed his way on an early sunny afternoon at the south side of the Tsawwassen Ferry Jetty.  From time to time, he would amaze us with his extraordinary feats of strength (this involved lifting clumps of kelp much bigger than himself, in his search for grubs and other tasty aquatic comestibles that shorebirds such as he would find irresistibly delectable -- great comic relief). Once in a while, he would pause to show us his best side (all of them). Clearly, he knew that the spotlight was on him, and he used it to his best advantage. My first encounter with this well-camouflaged shorebird, and another bird for my life list.

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

A Showstopping Ruddy Turnstone Magnet

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 Magnet

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.

Cute Pair of Sanderlings Sandpipers Shares a Meal Magnet

This is the first time I've been to Stanley Park in the autumn. On this chilly day, the waters were swimming with so much waterfowl, including American Wigeons, Black Oystercatchers, Surf Scoters, Hooded Mergansers, Common Mergansers, Harlequin Ducks, Double-Crested Cormorants, the odd Pied-Billed Grebe, and hundreds of Barrow's Goldeneyes. What surprised me was how comfortable (and perhaps, even curious) some of these seabirds were with the various human users (bikers, hikers, dogwalkers), of the Stanley Park Seawall. This is the closest I've gotten to one particularly curious Barrow's Goldeneye.

Profile of a Barrow's Goldeneye Magnet

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 the Cherry Tree Magnet

Add a touch of nature to any room in your home with this wildlife-themed night light!

An unusual bird to see in Metro Vancouver during the fall migratory bird season, this Buff-Breasted Sandpiper was one of two I had the opportunity to photograph up close, and one of five spotted here in 2016. Like the Sanderling, the BBSA is exceedingly comfortable around humans. 

The BBSA is special for another reason: fewer than 80,000 individuals are estimated worldwide (per data from migration sites and its allaboutbirds.org/guide/Buff-breasted_Sandpiper/id profile; actual figures are difficult to obtain, as it does not always exhibit nest fidelity), making it a Near Threatened species. Its dainty, dove-like head, short bill, and buff coloration make it one of the easier peeps to identify. It is a transcontinental bird, flying northwards to breed in the arctic, and wintering in South America.

Rather comically, this one spent some time chasing the other one off. Apparently, it wanted the attention of the photographers all to itself! When it wasn't hogging the limelight, it made sure every lens was trained on it -- regardless of what it was doing -- foraging, resting on the grass, or grooming its feathers.  Photographed in late August 2016.

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

Beautiful Buff-Breasted Sandpiper at the Beach Magnet

This pose is the cat's meow! This neighborhood cat has been very neighbourly since summer 2014 ... visiting regularly for her dose of birdwatching, cuddles, and saucer of milk. Here she is, posing next to the camellia leaves on a wet and gloomy day.

Whimsical The Cat and the Camellia Magnet

Get a leg up on style with these floral-inspired leggings!

These 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

Elegant Satin Flowers on Black Leggings

Slate-Colored Dark-Eyed Junco on the Pear Tree Square Wall Clock

Slate-Colored Dark-Eyed Junco on the Pear Tree Mouse Pad

Slate-Colored Dark-Eyed Junco on the Pear Tree Round Pillow

Slate-Colored Dark-Eyed Junco on the Pear Tree Ceramic Tile

Slate-Colored Dark-Eyed Junco on the Pear Tree Kitchen Towel

The first full day of snow in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, saw many fluffed up songbirds in the backyard perched on the fruit trees for most of the day, including at least two Cassiar Dark-Eyed Juncos (an intergrade of Slate-Colored and Oregon varieties), like this chubby little number here.  Photographed on December 9, 2016.

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

WWN Slate-Colored/Oregon Dark-Eyed Junco on the Pear Tree

Add color and a touch of nature to the half-pipe with this floral-inspired skateboard, which features sun-dappled shadows painted on the leaves of trees in spring.

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

Sun-Dappled Leaves in the Forest Skateboard

Add a touch of nature and whimsy to your walls with this wildlife-themed decal! Perfect for bird lovers!

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 Wall Decal

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

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 the Beach Mini Binder

Getting My Ducks in a Row: Four Buffleheads Serving Tray

Getting My Ducks in a Row: Four Buffleheads Bathroom Mat

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

WWN A Fantastic Foursome of Buffleheads

Keep notes, reminders, and more in this whimsical, wildlife-themed journal.  The golfers on the fairway clearly didn't disturb this Eastern Cottontail Rabbit, who was busy munching away on the delicious and well-manicured greens. This one paused to mug for my camera, and then went right back to chewing on its verdant comestibles, unfazed by the attention.

Curious American Robin Songbird in the Grass Magnet

Curious American Robin Songbird in the Grass Magnet

More from Walks with Nature

Other magnets from various stores