Personalized Gifts

These Tree Swallow nestlings are just about ready to fledge and take wing in the big wide world outside their nestbox, which is getting a bit crowded now they're almost full grown. I got the attention of the one on the left, and a few moments later, its sibling decided that I was worth a look, too, and also poked its head through the entrance opening!

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

Cute Baby Tree Swallow Songbirds in Nestbox

The second summertime flowering of our gladiolus ... this mid-August blooming produced even more striking sword lilies, with more splashes of white to contrast against the bright red hues for a candy cane like effect. Truly a Christmas moment in August!

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

Stunning Red & White Gladiolus Sword Lilies

One of two American Kestrels we saw whilst driving through Surrey during BC Family Day 2016. Though not a closeup -- my subject was about 15-20 feet above my head and 25 feet away -- the sun lit him enough to capture his magnificent plumage (another photo I took of his back showed blue and orange wings--confirming his gender). My first sighting in the wild of North America's tiniest falcon, and the first time I have seen the male of the species. It surprised me to learn that insects, not songbirds, are the staples of their diet.

American Kestrel Hawk on a Wire

In a cute moment highly reminiscent of another bushtit family gathering from 2016, three young songbird fledglings roost together in the sun-dappled shade of the pear tree, while parents and helpers (older siblings) pick grubs from the leaves nearby, while keeping up a steady stream of conversation. My young subjects were only too willing to oblige for my lens. Photographed in late May 2020.

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

Cute Baby Bushtit Songbirds in the Pear Tree Card

Metro Vancouver's second snowstorm of the winter season finally brought the lovely and much anticipated male Varied Thrush to my backyard, where he spent the greater part of the day excavating the white stuff for tasty grubs. With their dazzling palette of orange, grey, and black hues, this reclusive songbird is a welcome sight during the monochromatic winter months. Photographed in mid-February 2019.

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

Stunning Varied Thrush Songbird in the Snow

My closest encounter with a magnificent male Pileated Woodpecker, who was busy carving out a hole in a very tall tree. Rather than be spooked by the presence of a photographer nearby, this largest of North American woodpeckers would stop briefly to see who was rustling the dead leaves on the forest floor, and then resume his woodworking activities. Photographed on Galiano Island in the early evening of July 3, 2017.

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

Beautiful Pileated Woodpecker on the 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

The perfect greeting cards for bird lovers!  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

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

Add a touch of nature to your travels with this floral-themed luggage tag! 

Monkey Puzzle Trees (also known as Chilean pines) are common sights in Metro Vancouver homes and public gardens. The emanating and repeating star pattern and natural geometry of its leaves reminds me of a finished Solitaire game, when the cards are bouncing all over the place.

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

Stunning Chilean Pine Monkey Puzzle Tree Luggage Tag

Chubby White-Crowned Sparrow in the Winter Sun Glass Coaster

Chubby White-Crowned Sparrow in the Winter Sun Ceramic Tile

Puffy White-Crowned Sparrow Songbird in Winter Sun Postcard

Chubby White-Crowned Sparrow in the Winter Sun Trinket Tray

The rounder the songbird, the cuter it is. This little puffball is ready for a chilly weekend of sub-zero temperatures in Metro Vancouver! An adult White-Crowned Sparrow cuts a dashing figure at Boundary Bay Regional Park in South Delta, British Columbia, Canada, on the first day of the Great Backyard Bird Count 2018.

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

WWN Chubby White-Crowned Sparrow in the Winter Sun

Stunning American Kestrel Sparrowhawk Falcon Ceramic Tile

Stunning American Kestrel Sparrowhawk Falcon Notebook

Stunning American Kestrel Sparrowhawk Falcon

Stunning American Kestrel Sparrowhawk Falcon Coaster

Stunning American Kestrel Sparrowhawk Falcon Mug

The smallest and perhaps most strikingly colored falcon found in North America. In the avian kingdom, where females are often dressed in drab hues, the slate grey and barred, copper orange plumage of the female American Kestrel give her a dazzling beauty to rival that of her male counterpart. 

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

WWN Profile of an American Kestrel

A Meeting of Hooded Mergansers Trinket Tray

A Meeting of Hooded Merganser Ducks at the Pond Drawstring Bag

A Meeting of Hooded Merganser Ducks at the Pond Glass Coaster

A Meeting of Hooded Mergansers Business Card

A Meeting of Hooded Mergansers Photo Print

With their inflatable headwear and striking plumage, Hooded Mergansers are a treat to find (but hard to photograph because of their skittish nature). Fortunately, this pair--part of a small flock at the local pond--was too caught up in courtship rituals to notice the photographer in their midst.

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

WWN Hooded Mergansers at the Pond

Add a touch of nature to any room in the home or office with this stunning wall hanging! 

Even from a distance, this large Japanese maple tree draws attention to itself with a lovely profusion of crimson leaves. Photographed in early June 2017.

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

Red Maple Leaves Canvas Print

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

Cute Baby Tree Swallow Songbirds in Nestbox

Cute Baby Tree Swallow Songbirds in Nestbox

More from Walks with Nature

Other personalized gifts from various stores