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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

Great Horned Owl in the Douglas Fir Magnet

Looking deceptively like a baby duck, this full grown Bufflehead hen struck the perfect pose for me at one of the inner ponds at the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary. Curious "sentries" like this one will often detach themselves from the flock to satisfy their curiosity about those lenses pointed in their direction. I really doubt it's for the birdseed, unless we have discovered one with a sudden taste for them. :)  There was just enough afternoon sunlight left to reflect the blue skies in the waters, paint a catchlight in this Bufflehead's eyes, and cast a soft glow on her face.  With fall giving way to winter in just another week, we are seeing more and more of these tiny diving seaducks -- but always in small groups that tend to stay in waters far, far from human view. Though not skittish like Hooded Mergansers tend to be, I have yet to see a single Bufflehead set a webbed toe on land.

Cute Bufflehead Duck on Sunlit Waters Magnet

Although this handsome and talented singer--garbed in dazzling whites, crisp blacks, rich brown streaks, and a yellow/green cap--was quick to regale us with his cheery, energetic aria on many occasions, opportunities to photograph him on the local mountain flora were few and far between. His presence was a delight to local birders like myself, for this songbird is a very rare sight in the West; Chestnut-Sided Warblers are normally found in the Canadian Prairies and provinces eastward. Photographed in early July 2018 on Grouse Mountain in North Vancouver, British Columbia.

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

Beautiful Chestnut-Sided Warbler on a Branch Magnet

An unexpectedly close encounter with a female Northern Harrier while walking the paths of the local wildlife area in early Spring 2017. This beautiful, owl-faced bird of prey, so often seen soaring the skies, was hunkered down in the marshes -- probably waiting out her next meal, a duck who had gone to ground.

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

Beautiful Northern Harrier Hawk in the Marshes Magnet

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 in Plum Tree Magnet

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

A Quartet of Pineapple Guava / Guavasteen Flowers Magnet

As with many yellow summer birds on my watch list, I have been pursuing this beautiful warbler and prolific singer for quite some time. Two years ago, I heard his trademark witchety-witchety-witchety birdsong and have since gotten few and frequently shaded glimpses of his rakish black mask and bright yellow breast through local shrubs and bushes. This is the closest I have come to photographing him out in the open. 

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

Beautiful Common Yellowthroat Warbler Songbird Magnet

It's always a wonderful moment when our subjects seek us out instead of the other way around! A particularly bold American Robin approaches our picnic table to stare at us -- perhaps he was hoping that we had worms or berries with us?

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

Curious American Robin Songbird in the Grass Magnet

Add a touch of nature to leisure time with this floral-themed dartboard, which features a stunning and colorful medley of osteospermums aka African daisies or daisybushes.

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

Colorful Medley of African Daisies Flowers Dart Board

Add a touch of nature to the bedroom or living room with this floral-themed throw! 

Wax begonias are popular flowers and long-lasting summertime perennials. The gardener who planted these white, pink, and red varieties had a great eye for color and layout! Photographed in late August 2016 on the outskirts of the UBC Botanical Garden.

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

Colorful Wax Begonias Round Pillow

Add a splash of personality to your wrist with a wildlife-themed watch from the walkswithnature™ Watch the Birdie™ collection.  Normally, I’d prefer not to show photos with cages, but it’s less distracting in the case of these subjects because of my distance from both them and the bars. This gorgeous pair of Golden Eagles is being rehabilitated at the Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society (O.W.L.) for eventual release back into the wild.

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

Golden Eagles: Beauties Thru the Bars Watch

Add a touch of nature to every room in your home with this wildlife-themed switchplate cover!

The search for the male Mountain Bluebird at the North Jetty of Iona Island proved futile, but this blue bird -- perched on a twig near the chain link fence along Ferguson Road by the inner ponds -- didn't disappoint. 

The Tree Swallows have indeed returned to Iona Island, but we saw far fewer now than in March 2015 at this same point in time -- and the females had already shown up, too. I observed maybe 20 in flight and just a few perched like this fellow, and not a female in sight.

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

Sunlit Profile of a Tree Swallow Songbird Light Switch Cover

The enticing combination of purple/blue petals and yellow centers drew me to my first michaelmas daisies, which bloom from July through to October--adding wonderful splashes of color to the garden when many of the vivid hues of summer have already wound down. Photographed on September 18, 2016.

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

Beautiful Purple Michaelmas Daisies Bandana

Add a touch of nature to your laptop or computer with this floral-themed mousepad. 

It's easy to see how laburnum got its moniker of "the golden chain tree" -- stunningly large masses of bright yellow, sweet pea-shaped clusters hang down from these mid-spring flowering trees, which we discovered during a leisurely afternoon stroll through a heavily forested area of Deering Island Park. The wood has been used for woodworking, and certain species of butterfly use it as source of food. Photographed in late May 2017.

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

Stunning Golden Chain / Laburnum Tree Mouse Pad

Add a touch of nature to the bedroom or living room with this wildlife-themed throw. The perfect choice for bird lovers! 

The first time I've had the opportunity to shoot a Bewick's Wren out in the open, and at fairly close range. This beautiful long-tailed songbird must have sensed that I wanted to photograph it, and returned my curiosity with its own by posing on this branch for a few moments. Photographed in January 2017.

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

Great Horned Owl in the Douglas Fir Magnet

Great Horned Owl in the Douglas Fir Magnet

More from Walks with Nature

Other magnets from various stores