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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

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 on a Beach Log Magnet

My first day with the 100mm macro lens. I am thankful when I see dozens of honeybees, bumblebees, and other tiny winged pollinators on the huge California Lilac when it's in full bloom with hundreds of bluish-purple clusters on the front lawn.  

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

Beautiful Honeybee on the California Lilac Magnet

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!

Funny Cute Saucy Columbian Ground Squirrel Magnet

As with many yellow summer birds on my watch list, I have been pursuing this beautiful warbler and prolific singer for quite some time. Two years ago, I heard his trademark witchety-witchety-witchety birdsong and have since gotten few and frequently shaded glimpses of his rakish black mask and bright yellow breast through local shrubs and bushes. This is the closest I have come to photographing him out in the open. 

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

Beautiful Common Yellowthroat Warbler Songbird Magnet

Seafood dining at its best! One of five Black Oystercatchers we spotted on a windy, cloudy day at the Tsawwassen Ferry Jetty over the Great Backyard Bird Count 2017 (Feb 17-20) weekend. The fishing (clamming?) was good ... these shorebirds were hauling in clam after clam after clam!

This photo was the 1st Place Winner in the Behavior Category of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's 2017 Great Backyard Bird Count Photo Contest.

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

Stunning Black Oystercatcher with Clam Magnet

My first encounter with this large and beautiful Central and South American native. Although never having met one before, somehow I knew that the bright yellow eyes, white eyebrows, and black patches around the eyes could only belong to the Spectacled Owl.

Mesmerizing Golden Eyes of a Spectacled Owl Magnet

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

Coyly flashing the photographer an enigmatic Mona Lisa smile while looking the supreme picture of calm and serenity, this Peking Duck (one of three escapees) preens its snow white feathers leisurely on the waters of a very busy Burnaby Lake/Piper Spit in late January 2019.

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

Peking Duck Smiling a Mona Lisa Smile in the Sun Jigsaw Puzzle

Add a little character to the office -- or office party -- with this wildlife-themed tie.  

When you're this small and round, even watching you eat is a cute experience! Saw more of the tiny Sanderlings at the Boundary Bay Regional Park beach, just before Valentine's Day 2017. This one was foraging on the shoreline with 20 others of its kind, dining on the remnants of clams that had been already picked apart by gulls. 

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

Cute Sanderling Shorebird Dines on Clam at Beach Tie

Part brainteaser, part assemble-it-yourself art, this elegant, floral-themed puzzle, which features a trio of yellow and pink daylilies isolated on a black background, is great for improving muscle memory. Photographed in mid-July 2018 at a private garden at sunset. 

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

Elegant Trio of Yellow Pink Daylilies Floral Jigsaw Puzzle

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

Striking Yellow-Headed Blackbird in the Marsh

A female Great Horned Owl wows the crowds at the Seventh Annual Raptor Festival in Terra Nova Rural Park, Richmond. Owls have ears that are not level with each other — one is higher than the other, and each earhole is even angled a bit differently too. Quite the sound system.

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

Staring Contest with a Beautiful Great Horned Owl Metal Ornament

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

These purple Cineraria flowers provide a dazzling (and welcome) burst of color for early spring gardens. Although these African natives and members of the daily family are self-seeding perennials, I call them "Goldilocks flowers", because they require a very specific amount of rain, sunshine, and temperature to thrive.

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

Beautiful Purple Cineraria Flowers Jigsaw Puzzle

Add a touch of nature to your dining experience with this wildlife-themed placemat.

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

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