Personalized Gifts

 Sports, Toys & Games

 Toys & Games

 Card Games

 Playing Cards

Sometimes a mistake can be the path to a new technique. This Japanese Shaga, a small but ornate beardless iris also rather romantically known as the butterfly flower for its delicate, wing-like petals, was actually photographed outdoors under natural daylight after I forgot to reset shutter speed and aperture settings from the previous photo.

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

Elegant Japanese Crested Iris White Flowers Poker Cards

Hold the winning "wild" card with these nature-themed playing cards! 

During my second visit to Surrey's Elgin Heritage Park, my wish to see a Golden-Crowned Kinglet again was granted with the appearance of one of several accomplished singers in a giant fir tree. A diminutive but high-energy and multi-tasking bundle of energy--being able to sing, and flit from branch to branch while hunting for insects--the Golden-Crowned Kinglet nevertheless proved to be a challenging subject to capture. 

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

Cute Kinglet Songbird Causes a Stir in the Fir Poker Cards

Hold the winning "wild" card with these nature-themed playing cards! 

Our resident adult male Anna's hummingbird has never let me photograph him at close range, but on one evening in late May 2016, he came to sit on one of the old plum tree branches, just a few feet away from me. 

Perhaps, after seeing how comfortable the four visiting Rufous hummingbirds were around me, he probably figured that there wasn't anything scary about me -- and that I might even afford him some protection from the little hellraisers. So rather than being on the receiving end of his metallic scratchy or tick-tick-tick calls, he stared for a few moments into my lens, and then went to feed from the nectar feeder before making a much less frenzied exit than was his usual style.

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

Stunning Male Anna's Hummingbird on the Plum Tree Poker Cards

Hold the winning "wild" card with these whimsical, nature-themed playing cards! 

Blue Jays may be one of North America's most iconic bird species, but they are rarely found on the West Coast. However, this one has discovered that Ladner Harbor Park in beautiful British Columbia is a great place to hang out and avoid the nasty snowfalls of the east. S/he's been "resident" in this forest since early November 2020 and grants an audience to whomever is willing to shell out a handout of peanuts first. Photographed in late March 2021. 

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

Cute Blue Jay Songbird on Treestump Poker Cards

Hold the winning "wild" card with these whimsical, nature-themed playing cards! 

This young Rufous hummingbird was taking a break from scrapping with a fellow hummingbird for ownership of the flowers in a vast public garden to enjoy a little moment of peace and quiet in the sun. Photographed in early June 2017.

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

Cute Rufous Hummingbird Perched on Flower Poker Cards

Hold the winning "wild" card with these nature-themed playing cards! Here's lookin' at you, kid! My first face-to-face meeting with a curious Barn Swallow at Richmond's historic Scotch Pond, the spring-through-fall choice of nesting sites for these intrepid flyers and insects hunters. Based on the original photography of W.H. Sim. All Rights Reserved. See more at zazzle.com/walkswithnature

Trading Stares with a Barn Swallow Poker Cards

Hold the winning "wild" card with these nature-themed playing cards! 

Looking for all the world like it's saying "deal me in!", this bold and saucy Columbian Ground Squirrel is just trying its luck with the two-legged visitors to Manning Park. 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

Funny Cute Saucy Columbian Ground Squirrel Poker Cards

Hold the winning "wild" card with these nature-themed playing cards! 

My second encounter with a male Mountain Bluebird. We are gifted, albeit very briefly, with the presence of these beautiful songbirds at the start of the spring season before they head to higher ground to breed. Those stunning cerulean colors stand out on a dreary landscape, even from a distance. When he wasn't busy diving for insects on the local beach, he was highpointing it on driftwood and stalks of dessicated tansy. Photographed at Boundary Bay Regional Park in early spring 2017.

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

Beautiful Mountain Bluebird on the Beach Poker Cards

Did I say something funny? Meet Teddy. Looking like he's tossing me a big smile and a sly wink, this friendly Pommie of the Lawn is a real character. Fur that hasn't quite grown back the right way, and the lack of an eye hasn't stopped this energetic little guy from pursuing life to the fullest. 

He's no attention hound; show up at his place, and he'll give you an effusive 30-second greeting punctuated by happy barks and tailwags--as if he's seen you for the very first time--and in less than a minute, he'll settle down to his favorite bone, completely oblivious to your presence.

With his prodigious winter fur, I am leaning towards one of two theories: that this Pomeranian may be part Chow Chow or part lion.

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

Winking Chuckling Funny Dog Keychain

Spotted Towhee Sparrow in Autumn Leaf Litter Mouse Pad

Profile of a Spotted Towhee Round Pillow

I'd hardly call a Spotted Towhee a cute little bird. The red eyes on this large sparrow are mesmerizing and can best be described as eerie; and the black, white, reddish-brown plumage it wears all year round are "power colours". Photographed at Stanley Park's Lost Lagoon on a chilly afternoon in late November 2015.

This photo was selected by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, to be featured in its "Backyard Birds and Blossoms" Coloring Book (release date Spring 2017). 

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

WWN Spotted Towhee in the Autumn Leaf Litter

Adorable Rufous Hummingbird on Branch

Adorable Rufous Hummingbird on Branch Photo Print

Adorable Rufous Hummingbird on Branch 3 Ring Binder

Adorable Rufous Hummingbird on Branch Hip Flask

Adorable Rufous Hummingbird on Branch Mini Binder

Rufous Hummingbirds have usually left Metro Vancouver for Mexico by mid August, so it was a delight to see and photograph this exceedingly feisty straggler in the backyard. This little scrapper has been (successfully, for the past two days) giving grief to the juvenile male Anna's hummingbird who has owned the backyard for most of the summer (as well as the other feathered friends who visit), vigorously defending every flower and feeder in sight. This hybrid fruit tree branch has become its favorite perch, and gave me quite a few photographic opportunities. Photographed on September 4, 2016.

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

WWN Rufous Hummingbird on the Hybrid Fruit Tree

Add a touch of nature to every room in your home with this wildlife-themed switchplate cover! The perfect choice for bird lovers!

This male Pekin Robin decided to satisfy his curiosity of the approaching humans, and flew into a large tropical tree to observe us from under the large leafy cover. Our initial encounter was all too brief and disappointing, but this second meeting yielded the opportunity to study this wonderfully dressed and beautiful singer in much greater detail and length. Our subject must have noticed this, as he was unusually still and not hopping from branch to branch!

An Indian subcontinent native, this Old World babbler is so popular that many other countries want to claim it for their own, and so, it goes by other aliases, including Pekin Robin, Pekin nightingale, Japanese hill robin, and Japanese nightingale. 

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

Colorful Leiothrix / Pekin Robin Songbird Light Switch Cover

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

Though they last but a few short months, these annuals dazzle with an eclectic display of vivid colors, shapes, and sizes.

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

A Colorful Pastiche of Summer Annual Flowers Acrylic Print

You'd never guess, from her playful and youthful manner, that Stella is actually 10 to 12 years older than she looks! This indoor sweetie is as likely to cuddle up to the laps of strangers as she is to those of her regular pair of humans, but she knows how to puts her paw down as far as dogs (especially big dogs) are concerned.

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

Profile of Stella the Gray Cat Keychain

Add a touch of nature to the living room with this floral-themed lampshade cover.  This particular cultivar of alstroemeria, or Peruvian lily, grows tall and looks great as flower bed plants. They are hardy, breathtaking perennials that bloom from late spring through early summer.

Elegant Japanese Crested Iris White Flowers Poker Cards

Elegant Japanese Crested Iris White Flowers Poker Cards

More from Walks with Nature

Other playing cards from various stores