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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 Bushtit on the Laurel Magnet

One can't help but notice Blue and Gold Macaws. There's nothing dull about the plumage or the personality of this extremely sociable and long-lived parrot. Definitely a bird who knows how to drum up an audience on a moment's notice!

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

Beautiful Blue and Gold Macaw Magnet

Gold on blue make such beautiful hues. Nothing attracts the honeybees more spectacularly than the huge California Lilac that blooms with hundreds of bluish-purple clusters on the front lawn. Like a magnet, this bush draws dozens and dozens of these tireless winged workers from late spring through early summer. 

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

Gold on Blue: Honeybee on the California Lilac Magnet

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

One of a dozen of Harlequin Ducks I had the fortune of meeting at the beach, and my closest encounter with these diving sea ducks. Interestingly, all were adult males in near or full breeding plumage and showing off their slate grey, white, and rich cinnamon feathers, but there were no ladies of their own kind to impress. Photographed on the first full day of spring 2017.

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

Beautiful Harlequin Duck on the Rock Magnet

Community gardens are a wonderful place to see not just veggies and fruits, but a great variety of beautiful flowers. These beardless purple irises caught my eye at Richmond's Terra Nova Rural Park in late spring 2015.

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

Dutch Iris Purple Sensation Magnet

Diminutive Bufflehead ducks tend to be a challenge to photograph since they keep their distance, but there's always one in the flock who takes his patrol duty very seriously -- giving me a quick onceover as he swims by. There was just enough filtered sunlight on this inaugural spring afternoon to make the colours of his iridescent head visible.

Design © W.H. Sim. See more at zazzle.com/walkswithnature

Always Dressed to Impress: A Curious Bufflehead Magnet

Perfectly reflected in the tranquil waters of this pond is this Northern Pintail drake. They may be most commonly seen in West Coast winters, but I've encountered these ducks almost all year round at the Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary.

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

Reflections of a Northern Pintail Duck Magnet

Beautiful Touching Moment Between Wood Ducks Hip Flask

A Touching Moment Between Wood Ducks in the Woods Wrist Watch

A Sweet Moment Between Wood Ducks in the Woods Luggage Tag

Beautiful Touching Moment Between Wood Ducks Trivet

A Beautiful Touching Moment Between Wood Ducks Poker Cards

These two Wood Ducks could not possibly be any closer! Intimacy with your significant other means never having to be embarrassed just because a camera lens happens to be angled your way.

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

WWN Lovey-Dovey Wood Ducks

Looking to score a birdie for your round of golf? You're guaranteed one--in a manner of speaking--with this wildlife-themed club head cover, which features a cute little Black-Capped Chickadee in my backyard!

One of several Black-Capped Chickadees patronizing the backyard feeders. I managed to catch this little one perched on the pear tree and catching a bit of afternoon sun, with the blush of autumn behind it (courtesy of the neighbor's giant red maple tree). Photographed in late October 2017.

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

Black-Capped Chickadee on Autumn Red Background Golf Head Cover

Greet family, friends, and other visitors to your home with this whimsical, wildlife-themed welcome mat! Personalize with the family name or greeting as desired.

Trying its best to look adorable, this Eastern Grey Squirrel adopted a wishful pose for my camera in the hopes that I had food on my person. Some of my fellow humans succumbed to the collective charms of these non-natives, who were as thick as thieves at Stanley Park's Lost Lagoon on a chilly late November 2015 afternoon.

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

Saucy Cute Squirrel Could You Spare a Peanut? Doormat

Profile of a Buff-Breasted Sandpiper at the Beach Canvas Print

Profile of a Buff-Breasted Sandpiper at the Beach Magnet

Profile of a Buff-Breasted Sandpiper at the Beach Serving Tray

Profile of a Buff-Breasted Sandpiper at the Beach Classic Round Sticker

Profile of a Buff-Breasted Sandpiper at the Beach Ceramic Tile

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

WWN Buff-Breasted Sandpiper at Low Tide

Saucy Cute Squirrel Could You Spare a Peanut? Metal Ornament

Saucy Cute Squirrel Could You Spare a Peanut? Jigsaw Puzzle

Trying its best to look adorable, this Eastern Grey Squirrel adopted a wishful pose for my camera in the hopes that I had food on my person. Some of my fellow humans succumbed to the collective charms of these non-natives, who were as thick as thieves at Stanley Park's Lost Lagoon on a chilly late November 2015 afternoon.

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

WWN Saucy Cute Squirrel Wonders If Could You Spare a Peanut?

Add a touch of nature and warmth to any room with this whimsical, wildlife-themed candle. 

I missed seeing one of these tiny plovers in the summer, but my subject, in its non-breeding plumage, is no less beautiful for it! A rare sight for this time of the year (usually these dainty-looking shorebirds are already wintering along the coasts of the Southwestern U.S., Central America, and South America), this Semipalmated Plover was frequenting the shores of Boundary Bay at Centennial Beach during high tide, in (almost) mid-December, along with a flock of Dunlins and Sanderlings on a surprisingly sunny (and warm-for-almost-winter) day.

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

Beautiful Semipalmated Plover at the Beach Pillar Candle

Add a touch of nature to your tumbler with this whimsical, wildlife-themed design!

This little lady prefers blueberry blossom nectar over sugar water, giving this potted bush a thorough going over on a sunny spring afternoon and myself the opportunity to photograph a Rufous Hummingbird, nearly vertical with the tiny, bell-shaped white flowers she sips from. The backyard is just starting to come alive with birds after being relatively quiet for the past five weeks. Photographed in mid-May 2017.

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

Cute Wet Wee Bushtit on the Laurel Magnet

Cute Wet Wee Bushtit on the Laurel Magnet

More from Walks with Nature

Other magnets from various stores