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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 Young Bushtit Songbird on the Laurel Magnet

Cute Sanderling Sandpiper Strolls Wintry Beach Magnet

Sanderlings are tiny -- and surprisingly, quite approachable -- migratory shorebirds which can be easily found on Vancouver beaches in the coldest winter months. This one was strolling quite leisurely on the shoreline. Photographed on a very sunny and busy winter afternoon at Boundary Bay Regional Park.

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

WWN A Cute Sanderling Strolls a Winter Beach

This male Tree Swallow appears to be quite taken with this particular nestbox ... that look says "mine, all mine." Photographed in late March 2016. 

These small bluebirds have shown up almost a month later than last year, and the initial flocks are much smaller, too. 

Also absent at this time are the grayer females, which at the same time last year were already here. Nevertheless, it's still a wonderful experience to see these little birds in action over the water and in the skies.

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

Tree Swallow in a Nestbox Magnet

Also known by their other aliases of "Red Star" and "Rosy Posy" (my favourite), I found a bed of these small but hardy South African perennials flourishing in one of our local public gardens. Summer brings forth bright pink star-shaped flowers with their telltale hidden hearts -- low growing plants that make great ground cover.

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

Rhodohypoxis / Red Star / Rosy Posy Magnet

A mid-summer walk around Stanley Park's Lost Lagoon yielded the surprise of a raccoon. In fact, this one quietly preceded us, like a tour guide, for a hundred yards, to the cement bridge before joining a haze of other raccoons. S/he even stopped to give me a few angles ... all of which is very unnatural behaviour for a mammal who is more likely to be active at night! 

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

Face to Face with a Raccoon Magnet

Beautiful, Dreamy and Serene Snowy Owl Magnet

Owls are such fascinating creatures. They are front page newsmakers, drawing the interest of birders, nature lovers, and just about everyone else who has a pulse. Snowy Owls are especially charismatic; the largest owls in North America only show up in Metro Vancouver every few years, and their appearance during our winters causes crowds of admirers and fans to form and flock.

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

WWN Beautiful Dreamy & Serene Snowy Owl

With the deep blue of the water in the background, I could not have asked for better light or a better pose with this shot (I did hope to be a little closer to my subject, though!) Three of these very active and adorable buntings were hopping up and down the shoreline at the Tsawwassen Ferry Jetty on a sunny but very breezy evening! Lapland Longspurs are delightful little songbirds that winter in Metro Vancouver but spend their summers in the high Arctic. Photographed on October 17, 2016.

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

Lapland Longspur on a Sunlit Log Magnet

If the legendary celestial phoenix had an earthly form, it would have to be this creature. Golden Pheasants are showstoppers, wherever you see them. In their natural environment, these shy creatures seek the underbrush in the day and roost high in trees at night. As with most birds in the avian kingdom, the males are the ones who dress to impress, and this uncharacteristically bold fellow is no exception. This is the red gold variant. 

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

Profile of a Red Golden Pheasant Magnet

Show off your love of nature with this floral-themed luggage tag!

Mid-summer is the time of the season for lilies, and these delightfully pink Oriental lilies amazed me with their large size, abundance, and delicate beauty. Photographed in early August 2017 at a private garden. 

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

Elegant Floral Pink Oriental Lilies Luggage Tag

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

2018 represented my first successful attempt to get the backyard quince shrub to flower, and it produced a lovely reddish orange color variation during the first few weeks of spring. Looking forward to seeing the fruits in the fall!

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

Beautiful Red Orange Quince Flowers Jigsaw Puzzle

Adorable Baby Canada Geese on the Grass Wall Sticker

An adorable flock of very young Canada Goose goslings--perhaps hatched just a few days ago--from the first crop of feathered babies at Burnaby Lake / Piper Spit forages on the grass on a sunny spring day. Despite the human traffic in the area, its parents were, surprisingly, very uncharacteristically relaxed and unprotective of their small brood. Photographed in late April 2017.

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

WWN Eat Your Greens, Goslings!

Extremely tolerant of the long lens pointed at her from some six feet away, a female Rufous Hummingbird--a regular backyard visitor--sits on twining grape and kiwi vines in the cool of a mid-spring evening.

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

Beautiful Rufous Hummingbird on Twining Vines Postcard

Part brainteaser, part assemble-it-yourself art, this challenging, wildlife-themed puzzle is great for improving muscle memory. Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! Oh wait, it is a bird. Probably one of us, coming in for a landing.  I was surprised to see Snow Geese goosestepping at Iona Beach Regional Park. I am used to seeing thousands of these geese in flight, and, less often, an equally large number on farms in the fall, winter, and spring--usually from a great distance, which makes closeups impossible. Never have I seen them in the wild so close, almost patently ignoring the humans among them. As the sun slowly slipped to the horizon, wave after wave of Snow Geese would descend to the grounds, making me witness to many white and reddish faces, juveniles and adults, those infamous grin patches, and varying plumages of white and grey.

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

A Curious Gaggle of Snow Geese Jigsaw Puzzle

Funny Surprised Lemurs of Madagascar Tote Bag

Funny Surprised Lemurs of Madagascar Metal Lunch Box

Funny Surprised Lemurs of Madagascar Adult Cloth Face Mask

Funny Surprised Lemurs of Madagascar Mug

Funny Surprised Lemurs of Madagascar Glass Coaster

Funny Surprised Lemurs of Madagascar Ping Pong Paddle

WWN Surprised Madagascar Lemurs Monkeying Around

Say goodbye to boring and get noticed with this double-sided, modern business card design, which features contrasting handwritten and block lettering pairs set on a blue sky background that conveys innovation and dynamism while delivering a personal yet professional touch that works well for both big business and small business.

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

Cute Wet Young Bushtit Songbird on the Laurel Magnet

Cute Wet Young Bushtit Songbird on the Laurel Magnet

More from Walks with Nature

Other magnets from various stores