Although it bears a strikingly uncanny resemblance to Scotch thistle, this is, in fact, flowering artichoke. Should you be one of those backyard gardeners who let their artichokes grow old and arthritic--instead of picking them at their juiciest, tastiest stage, this is the lovely result, and a consolation prize of sorts. Photographed at the UBC Botanical Garden in mid-July 2016.

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

Flowering Globe Artichoke Vegetable Postcard

One of the most common (and largest) birds seen in Metro Vancouver, Great Blue Herons can be found in marshes, mudflats, the shorelines of local beaches, and even roadside ditches all year round. They are normally solitary birds, but once in a while, we'll encounter rookeries, usually during the breeding season, when "conventions" of these large shorebirds gather; they may number anywhere from 25 to over 100 individuals of various ages. This individual was feeding quite close to the main walking trail of Boundary Bay Regional Park. Photographed in early August 2016.

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

Great Blue Heron Bird in Flight Postcard

The rapture of a raptor in flight! I wanted to have a closeup of this Bald Eagle roosting at the top a dead birch tree ... but it decided, at 30 feet away, that it was time to go. This was the most dramatic part of its takeoff.

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

A Bald Eagle Takes to the Sky Postcard

This Merlin--a small but fierce member of the falcon family--found the pine tree at a local golf course a prime location from which to to observe both prey and players.

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

Stunning Merlin Falcon in the Pine Tree Postcard

The vivid red crocosmia lucifer flowers aren't just eye candy for humans -- they attract hummingbirds and insects by the score, too. Large, flame-shaped (one might even say, flamboyant) masses were in bloom at the UBC Botanical Gardens, providing many opportunities to photograph them. Photographed in mid-July 2016.

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

Red Crocosmia Lucifer Coppertips Flowers Postcard

If someone combined the adorably big head and black eyes of a Black-Capped Chickadee with the colours and bill of a Kookaburra in a Jay-sized body, they'd have the whimsically-named Whiskeyjack. Also known by its less colourful aliases of Canada Jay and Gray Jay, we saw no fewer than six of Canada's official national birds at Manning Park's Lightning Lake, where they would boldly descend on picnic tables in the hopes of free handouts.

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

Grey Jay Whiskeyjack Songbird in Evergreen Tree Postcard

Who ya calling a turkey? I spotted this handsome male Ring-Necked Pheasant foraging in the oddest of places ... not a marsh or wild woodland habitat, but the green well-maintained grass of a heritage air park! He did not seem concerned that a couple of camera lenses was trained on him, but, from time to time, would stand up on his legs, flap his wings, and give his best rooster impression, before returning to the task of foraging. On a rather birdless day, seeing this gamebird made my day. Photographed on Good Friday 2017.

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

Surprised Ring-Necked Pheasant in Grass 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

This stunning wildlife design features a male Tree Swallow poking his head out of a nestbox and clearly staking out his ownership.

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

Tree Swallow Songbird in Nestbox Face Mask

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

It takes two to tango and three to tangle! One lady is bracketed by two gents in another photo that shows why Wood Ducks are called Wood Ducks.  This fallen log actually held five Wood Ducks a few moments before -- but all were in various stages of preening, not all were looking at the camera, and every duck was on a different visual plane. Photographed in the afternoon winter sun at Piper Spit / Burnaby Lake.

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

Trio of Wood Ducks on a Big Log Mug

Add a touch of nature to your correspondence with these wildlife-inspired address labels.

One of my favorite birds to photograph, and one of the most elusive as well. This lovely male Varied Thrush was a bit stunned but none the worse for wear after flying into a window, but he chose to take five on the cherry tree -- giving me time to capture his beauty from the upper floor sunroom, some 15 feet away.

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

Beautiful Varied Thrush Songbird in the Tree Label

Add a touch of nature to treasured memories and moments with this wildlife-themed binder! 

My first meeting with one of (at least) two Clark's Nutcrackers who were frequenting Manning Park Resort in the early morning and afternoon. Like Gray Jays, Clark's Nutcrackers are quite bold and will approach visitors in hopes of free food.

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

A Hopeful Clark's Nutcracker 3 Ring Binder

Add a touch of nature to leisure time with this nature-themed dartboard, which features a golden mass of rudbeckias blooming in the hot summer sun.

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

Rudbeckias / A Bed of Black-Eyed Susans Dart Board

Add a touch of nature to festive year-end celebrations with this whimsical, wildlife-themed Christmas stocking. Personalize with a name or meme. Reverse (for double-sided option) shows identical design. Great for the bird or nature lover on your gift list!

This male Eclectus Parrot has rockstar tendencies, and tends to be loud and given to overacting when he wants your attention. A colourful personality with equally colourful "fowl" language.

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

"The Green Orator" Eclectus Parrot Large Christmas Stocking

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

Flowering Globe Artichoke Vegetable Postcard

Flowering Globe Artichoke Vegetable Postcard

More from Walks with Nature

Other products from various stores