Personalized Gifts

I was privy to a very special moment in late May 2016 when I saw this Greater Sandhill Crane father, a veteran parent, searching for wood bugs with his 3-day-old colt. It's hard to believe that such a small creature could grow up into one of the largest bird species found in Metro Vancouver!

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

Greater Sandhill Crane Father and Child

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

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

Adorable Baby Canada Geese on the Grass

The perfect greeting cards for bird lovers!  

A young sub-adult male Anna's hummingbird was taking five in the scarlet firethorn next to its pommes on an unseasonably prolonged cold snap. Unlike most other birds who frequent this bush in the fall and winter, he didn't seem to mind that I wrestled the window open (however softly I did it), and took a few shots of him next to the bunch of berries that's almost as big as he is. Photographed in mid-December 2016.

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

Anna's Hummingbird Poses with the Pyracantha

My first (and closest) encounter with a Sooty Grouse at Burnaby Mountain. This handsome fellow was hardly shy around the photographers, but kept largely to the base of the trees and the shadows. When the other photographers had left,  he came out for a little one-on-one time, "treating" me to dances around the remaining photographer and softly modulated hoots -- even following me partway down to the playground!

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

Beautiful Sooty Grouse in the Grass

By mid-May 2016, the Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary on Westham Island had already hosted 10 fledged Barn Swallows! I can usually find at least a couple of them who like to hang around the Warming Hut, as curious about the photographers behind the long lenses as we are about them. Always a pleasure to make the acquaintance of these colourful aerialists!

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

Beautiful Barn Swallow on a Branch

Nothing heralds spring like Tree Swallows. These small and very approachable birds amaze me with their astonishing aerial maneuvers and beautiful iridescent blue plumage.

Handsome Tree Swallow Songbird on a Wire

Last year, I was fortunate enough to encounter the female Yellow-Headed Blackbird at Manning Park. This year, I saw not one of these rare visitors to Metro Vancouver, but three adult male Yellow-Headed Blackbirds (and at least one female)--the former calling attention to themselves with their golden heads and breasts, less-than-melodious birdcalls, and frequent sparring matches with the more familiar Red-Winged Blackbird males in the marshes of Iona Island.

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

Striking Yellow-Headed Blackbird in the Marsh

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

Whilst on my second excursion to find and photograph the elusive and rare-for-our-area bird, a gorgeous adult male Acorn Woodpecker, I chanced upon two furry new friends at Ladner Harbor Park: a couple of adorable and oh so well behaved Papillon dogs, a very old Belgian/French breed of parti-color toy spaniels so named for their elegant, butterfly-like ears. Not long after this serendipitous meeting, we did find the Acorn Woodpecker less than 100 yards away. Photographed in early October 2022.  

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

Cute Papillon Toy Spaniels Dogs at the Dock Jigsaw Puzzle

Beautiful Marsh Wren Songbird in the Marshes Glass Coaster

Profile of a Beautiful Marsh Wren Serving Tray

Profile of a Beautiful Marsh Wren Songbird Light Switch Cover

Profile of a Beautiful Marsh Wren Wall Sticker

Profile of a Beautiful Marsh Wren Throw Pillow

My first encounter with a Marsh Wren, who was charming me with an enchanting and complex aria at the local wildlife refuge. These little birds are heard much, much more often than they are seen.

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

WWN Beautiful Marsh Wren in the Reeds

Add a touch of nature with this wildlife-themed wall hanging that features the inspirational quote "birdsong is the story of creation." The perfect choice for bird lovers! 

A White-Crowned Sparrow welcomes the day (and enchants its rapt listeners) with a simple but sweet song. As spring turns into summer, we see more and more of this beautiful songbird, who often forages solo, too.

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

Inspirational "Birdsong is the Story of Creation" Canvas Print

Profile of a Buff-Breasted Sandpiper at the Beach Canvas Print

Profile of a Buff-Breasted Sandpiper at the Beach Wall Sticker

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

WWN Buff-Breasted Sandpiper at Low Tide

Add a touch of whimsy to the kitchen or dining room with this striking sandstone coaster. 

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 Whimsical Cat and the Camellia Coaster

Slate-Colored Dark-Eyed Junco on the Pear Tree Button

Slate-Colored Dark-Eyed Junco on the Pear Tree Hoodie

Slate-Colored Dark-Eyed Junco on the Pear Tree Tote Bag

Slate-Colored Dark-Eyed Junco on the Pear Tree Placemat

Slate-Colored Dark-Eyed Junco on the Pear Tree Golf Head Cover

The first full day of snow in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, saw many fluffed up songbirds in the backyard perched on the fruit trees for most of the day, including at least two Cassiar Dark-Eyed Juncos (an intergrade of Slate-Colored and Oregon varieties), like this chubby little number here.  Photographed on December 9, 2016.

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

WWN Slate-Colored/Oregon Dark-Eyed Junco on the Pear Tree

Wear down your opponent with the cuteness of this whimsical, feline-themed pickleball paddle! Use the current meme / catchphrase or substitute with your own!

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.

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

Greater Sandhill Crane Father and Child

Greater Sandhill Crane Father and Child

More from Walks with Nature

Other personalized gifts from various stores