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When Bushtits come calling, it's a sudden avalanche of cuteness in the backyard -- because these social songbirds often show up in flocks of 10-30, feed briefly (and co-operatively) on the suet or whatever else they fancy (calling to each other constantly as they do so), and leave as quickly as they came. Once in a while, though, they will stay for 15-30 minutes. I photographed this damp fellow--who was caught in the morning rain--taking a moment to pause on the laurel bush. Some of his fellow Bushtits were actually bathing on the laurel leaves, like hummingbirds do. Photographed in early July 2016.

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

Cute Wet Wee Baby Bushtit Songbird on Laurel Postcard

An "urban" Rough-Legged Hawk perches precariously on the top of a spindly young tree in Tsawwassen, British Columbia, Canada. As I have seen this raptor several times near the local shopping mall, I can only assume that this is its territory--before and after development. Photographed on a late afternoon in mid-January 2018.

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

Stunning Rough-Legged Hawk in the Tree Postcard

This lovely profusion of small white flowers was found decorating the main "square" of the VanDusen Botanical Garden.  Bridal Wreath Spirea is relatively easy to care for, but can grow up to 10 feet tall and wide if not pruned.

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

Beautiful Floral Bridalwreath Spiraea Postcard

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

Red-Breasted Nuthatch Songbird on Branch Postcard

It’s not every day that you see big blue fir cones in Vancouver. The abies koreana is an endangered fir found in the mountains of South Korea. This is one of (at least) three such trees planted on the grounds of the UBC Botanical Garden. Photographed in July 2016.

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

Big Blue Korean Fir Cones Postcard

A stunning statement of yellows and blacks, this handsome male Cape May Warbler has captivated crowds at Mill Lake Park in Abbotsford. This newcomer to southwestern British Columbia has been spending his winter break here since the first day of 2019 -- odd behavior for a boreal songbird who normally winters as far south as Mexico. However, he has adapted quite nicely, with tasty yellow mahonia petals and nectar, plus plenty of grubs and insects nearby!

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

Cape May Warbler Songbird with Flowering Mahonia Postcard

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

Sanderling Sandpiper Dines on Clam at Beach Postcard

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.

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

Mesmerizing Golden Eyes of a Spectacled Owl Postcard

My second visit to the Maplewood Conservation Area in North Vancouver produced meetings with not two, but six blacktail deer in a clearing ... four fawns and two does who seemed completely at ease with the small group of photographers in their midst. The younger ones seemed almost as curious about the humans as we were about them! This fawn was extremely happy to be alive, bounding in a very Bambi-esque manner through the forest! Photographed in late August 2016.

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

Funny Young Blacktail Deer Smiles at Photographer Magnet

Add a touch of nature to your golf game with this floral-themed club head cover!

This stunning bearded iris germanica amazed me with a multi-colored splendor of red, yellow, and white. Photographed in early June 2017.

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

Elegant Multi-Colored Bearded Iris Germanica Golf Head Cover

Funny Cute Saucy Columbian Ground Squirrel Glass Coaster

Columbian Ground Squirrels are some of the most entertaining wildlife at Manning Park, and the first ones to greet us in the resort parking lot. 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!

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

WWN Funny Columbian Ground Squirrel Pulls up to a Bar

Add a touch of nature to the kitchen or dining room with this whimsical, wildlife-themed sandstone coaster. 

Although this handsome and talented singer--garbed in dazzling whites, crisp blacks, rich brown streaks, and a yellow/green cap--was quick to regale us with his cheery, energetic aria on many occasions, opportunities to photograph him on the local mountain flora were few and far between. His presence was a delight to local birders like myself, for this songbird is a very rare sight in the West; Chestnut-Sided Warblers are normally found in the Canadian Prairies and provinces eastward. Photographed in early July 2018 on Grouse Mountain in North Vancouver, British Columbia.

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

Chestnut-Sided Warbler Songbird on a Branch Coaster

Add a touch of nature and wonder to your walls with this wildlife-themed decal! The perfect choice for bird lovers!

Holding tightly onto a branch on a gusty May 2016 afternoon at Iona Island is this male Yellow-Headed Blackbird. He often stopped for short periods between fetching meals for his offspring. His mate was also in the nearby marsh. My closest encounter with these strikingly-coloured birds!

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

Gorgeous Yellow-Headed Blackbird on a Windy Day Wall Decal

Add a touch of nature to your dining experience with this elegant, floral-themed placemat, which features blooming allium giganteum (giant onion) flowers photographed against a bokeh of green and brown. The purple umbels not only add a splash of vibrant color and shape to gardens, but they are edible, too!

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

Purple Allium Giganteum Giant Onion Flowers Placemat

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

After being denied my first butterfly photo of 2014–first by a butterfly enthusiast successfully wielding her butterfly net after a Butterfly Symposium on garden grounds, and then having another butterfly almost land on my lens less than an hour later, I captured a Western Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly on the last mile of our meanderings through the UBC Botanical Garden.

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

Cute Wet Wee Baby Bushtit Songbird on Laurel Postcard

Cute Wet Wee Baby Bushtit Songbird on Laurel Postcard

More from Walks with Nature

Other postcards from various stores