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At the end of July, flocks of 15-20 of Bushtits returned to the backyard, descending on to the trees and shrubs. This young fellow--one of many juveniles/immatures successfully fledged earlier this summer--was awaiting his turn on the newly installed suet cage, while as many as 10 would bathe together on the wet grass, which was given a good sprinkling earlier in the morning, and another 10 would be attacking the suet at the same time. Photographed in early August 2017.

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

Cute Young Bushtit on the Hybrid Fruit Tree Postcard

Bracketed by the underbrush was this Virginia Rail, who wandered into a sunlit patch at Brunswick Point, Ladner, British Columbia, and gave me this unexpected photo op. This was one of four Virginia Rails we saw today in the area--both pairs were within 200 yards of each other--and acting most unlike their usually highly secretive selves! Photographed in mid-December 2016.

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

Virginia Rail Waterbird in Underbrush Postcard

With a bright white bib that looks like the cravats sported by the well-heeled during Elizabethan and Victorian times, this handsome domestic Mallard (of the Duclair designer "persuasion") was definitely the odd duck out at the local wildlife sanctuary. That didn't stop this debonair duck from charming the photographers in his midst, and moving his way to the forefront of the feeding frenzy that included many, many wild Mallards. 

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

Suave Domestic Mallard Duclair Bibbed Odd Duck Postcard

Send a special message with this floral-themed postcard, which features a trio of yellow and pink daylilies isolated on a black background. Photographed in mid-July 2018 at a private garden at sunset. 

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

Elegant Trio of Yellow Pink Daylilies Floral Postcard

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 Postcard

This is a closeup of flowering pineapple guava aka guavasteen (which resembles St. John's Wort) in the backyard. This is the self-pollinating variety, and one of the newest additions to our backyard garden. The birds have started taking notice, too. Being dark green on the avocado-shaped exterior and creamy yellow or white on the inside, though, the fruit isn't anywhere as exotic looking as the flowers.

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

Flowering Pineapple Guava / Guavasteen / Feijoa Postcard

An amble through Surrey Bend Regional Park on a hot summer day led to a chance encounter with an adult Bald Eagle and a cut of sushi that was just a bit too big for this raptor to lift off. Photographed in late July 2018.

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

Bald Eagle Tries to Fly Off with Salmon Postcard

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

Beautiful Buff-Breasted Sandpiper at the Beach Postcard

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

Spunky songbird? Check. Puffball with a peaked coif? Check. Capable of balancing a seed on the tip of its tongue? Check. Many photo ops with a bold and beautiful Lincoln's Sparrow. One always makes sure to visit the backyard in the winter and mid-spring. Photographed in late February 2018, after a few days of heavy snowfall that deposited 6-7 inches in Metro Vancouver.

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

Cute and Spunky Lincoln's Sparrow Jigsaw Puzzle

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

Being an escapee from an Oregon farm did not diminish the appeal of this adult male Mandarin Duck, whose flight to freedom was rewarded with a constant supply of bird seed and the company of Wood Ducks at Piper Spit. I was gifted with the privilege of his metamorphosis over many agonizingly slow months, as I watched him exchange his post-breeding plumage for the magnificent feathers and stunning color palette that make him a dream to photograph (and a hit with the females of his kind). Mother Nature left nothing to the artist's imagination when she made this creature! Photographed at Burnaby Lake in mid-October 2018.

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

Beautiful Mandarin Duck in the Pond Jigsaw Puzzle

Add a touch of nature to the bathroom with this floral-themed towel set, which features red and yellow marigolds. Marigolds aren't just eye candy; they've been used for culinary (teas, salads) and medicinal (anti-inflammatory) purposes for hundreds of years in European cultures. These beautiful, aromatic and showy blooms bloom all summer long into fall and even until the first frost. They are a natural mosquito repellent, and may also keep flower munchers like deer from the pride and joy in your garden. Photographed in mid June and mid July 2016 at local public and private gardens.

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

A Medley of Red and Yellow Marigold Flowers Bath Towel Set

This pose is the cat's meow! This neighbourhood cat has been very neighbourly since summer 2014 ... visiting regularly for her dose of birdwatching, cuddles, and saucer of milk. Here she is, posing next to the camellia leaves on a wet and gloomy day.  "Sweetie" is one affectionate kitty ... she has been known to leap up onto complete strangers' laps for a nap! 

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

The Cat and the Camellia Gel Mouse Pad

This platinum butterfly koi is elegance personified -- and intensely curious, as it watches and tracks my every movement from behind the glass in its giant aquarium. I am privileged to see its gorgeous coloration and stunning fins in action!

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

Stunning Platinum Butterfly Koi Carp Jigsaw Puzzle

Add a touch of nature with this wildlife-themed wall hanging. 

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 Canvas Print

Add a touch of nature to your coffee, tea, or favourite drink with this wildlife-themed mug! 

An almost perfectly camouflaged female Great Horned Owl attempts to catch some shuteye in the neighbor's 100-foot Douglas Fir on a rainy fall day, only to be subjected to the verbal and physical harangues of nine Northwestern Crows. After three hours, they finally left her to her beauty sleep. Photographed on November 13, 2016.

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

Cute Young Bushtit on the Hybrid Fruit Tree Postcard

Cute Young Bushtit on the Hybrid Fruit Tree Postcard

More from Walks with Nature

Other postcards from various stores