Personalized Gifts

On its way to raid the backyard suet feeder, a young, very curious Chestnut-Backed Chickadee pauses to stare at my lens from the grapevine.

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

Cute Curious Chestnut-Backed Chickadee Songbird

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 Cherry Branch

The next best thing to having an Orange-Crowned Warbler in your backyard is having an Orange-Crowned Warbler in your backyard when the cherry tree is blooming in the springtime. Because perhaps the enticingly sweet taste of these flowers will make these small, olive-colored songbirds pause for just an instant, giving you an opportunity to capture the twin beauties of bird and blossoms. Photographed in mid-April 2017.

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

Orange-Crowned Warbler Amid the Cherry Blossoms

It's hard not to be amazed by such beauty! I am so used to seeing Dunlins in flocks of hundreds and thousands in their non-breeding/winter plumage, that to encounter a solitary member of the species is a bit puzzling. S/he was in full breeding regalia, and in no particular hurry to fly north for the summer. 

We almost missed seeing this peep--so intent on photographing the 20 Greater Scaups much further out from shore--that it was many moments before I realized that this Dunlin was quite calmly "pacing" us some 6-8 feet away on the shoreline!

Being in such close proximity to this beauty enabled me to get a good look at that black belly patch and the wonderful russet brown feathers on its head and back!

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

A Beautiful Dunlin Goes Solo Card

The perfect greeting cards for bird lovers!  

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

Slate-Colored Dark-Eyed Junco on the Pear Tree

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.

Beautiful "Lady in Red" Eclectus Parrot

Really, some birds have no shame. Photographed pillaging the hummingbird nectar feeder was this Black-Capped Chickadee, who looks mildly startled -- a priceless expression -- but that didn't stop it and a fellow partner in crime from chugging the sweet stuff like a pair of gluttons (once, in tandem!) Based on the original photography of W.H. Sim. All Rights Reserved. See more at zazzle.com/walkswithnature

Black-Capped Chickadee Caught Red-Handed

A rather interesting top-down view of a Great Blue Heron at the local wildlife refuge. I've been spotted by my subject, but this efficient (and, at times, ruthless) fisher is in no hurry to move from its spot. Great Blue Herons are the most commonly seen herons in Metro Vancouver, and may be even spotted in ditches along highways and freeways.

A Top-Down View of a Blue Heron

A newly adult Canada Goose grooms itself at Piper Spit, Burnaby Lake, on a cloudy fall day, the angular and swan-like curve of its neck conveying an almost regal quality to this bird. Although migratory birds in many parts of the world, some Canada Geese are all-year-round residents in Metro Vancouver and the Pacific Northwest. Photographed in early November 2016.

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

Canada Goose on the Lake Magnet

Celebrate nature and the tropics with this verdant, floral-themed towel set, which features  the variegated forest green and white-veined leaves of the mosaic plant (aka nerve plant aka fittonia albivenis). Personalize with initial(s) and (sur)name.

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

Fittonia Mosaic Plant with Variegated Leaves Bath Towel Set

Add color and a touch of nature to your walls with this floral-themed panel wall art!

These oxeye daisies (also known by their other aliases of "moon daisies", and "dog daisies") were photographed on a cloudy day that gave way to lots of sunshine at one of the largest and oldest public gardens in Metro Vancouver. Photographed in mid-June 2016.

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

A Field of Oxeye Daisies Triptych

Honeybee on Narrowleaf Milkweed Plant Postcard

The UBC Botanical Garden is home to a dazzling diversity of flowers and pollinators. This honeybee was one of many who found the creamy white and pink flowers of the narrowleaf milkweed particularly enticing. Photographed on July 10, 2016.

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

WWN Honeybee on Narrowleaf Milkweed

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

Nothing symbolizes the timelessness of romance and love more than red roses. Photographed at a local public garden, located on top of a long-extinct volcano, which provides the most fertile conditions and soil for flora to grow and flourish in.

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

Elegant Romantic Red Rose Jigsaw Puzzle

Use this elegant, wildlife-themed tile to protect delicate surfaces, tables, and countertops from hot pots, or as accent pieces for the dining room, kitchen, or anywhere else in the home!

The Red-Breasted Nuthatches who patronize the backyard are all business when it comes to procuring sunflower seeds (although they may linger on the suet feeder). They are even quicker to dash and dine (or dash and cache) than the Black-Capped Chickadees, so it is extremely rare to see the former even perched on a branch for any length of time.

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

Beautiful Red-Breasted Nuthatch on a Branch Ceramic Tile

Use this elegant, floral-themed tile to protect delicate surfaces, tables, and countertops from hot pots, or as accent pieces for the dining room, kitchen, or anywhere else in the home!

This royal purple bearded iris caught the setting sun and my eye, just as I was leaving a private garden on a very warm spring evening in late May 2017.

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

Cute Curious Chestnut-Backed Chickadee Songbird

Cute Curious Chestnut-Backed Chickadee Songbird

More from Walks with Nature

Other personalized gifts from various stores