Personalized Gifts

A very curious Holstein Friesian pauses to look at us from the Alaksen Wildlife Area as the rest of its herd (obviously responding to a cattle call of some sort) lumbers on without a backward glance. Not exactly what I expected to see while birding the Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary in late May 2016, but Westham Island *is* full of farms!!

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

Holy Cow! It's a Holstein Friesian!

Perfectly reflected in the tranquil waters of this pond is this Northern Pintail drake. They may be most commonly seen in West Coast winters, but I've encountered these ducks all year round at the Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary.

Reflections of a Northern Pintail Duck

One of a dozen of Harlequin Ducks I had the fortune of meeting at the beach, and my closest encounter with these diving sea ducks. Interestingly, all were adult males in near or full breeding plumage and showing off their slate grey, white, and rich cinnamon feathers, but there were no ladies of their own kind to impress. Photographed on the first full day of spring 2017.

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

Beautiful Harlequin Duck on the Rock

Monkey Puzzle Trees (also known as Chilean pines) are common sights in Metro Vancouver homes and public gardens. The emanating and repeating star pattern and natural geometry of its leaves reminds me of a finished Solitaire game, when the cards are bouncing all over the place.

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

Stunning Chilean Pine Monkey Puzzle Tree

Hanging with my peeps! Despite the 60-80 Sanderlings probing the shoreline, getting a group photo of this high-energy flock (which was soon joined by another flock of 30-40 Sanderlings) in action was a bit difficult (imagine kindergarten-aged children running amok all over the place); shots of bills submerged in water as well as feathered butts pointed in my direction were the norm.

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

Funny Cute 4 Sanderlings Sandpipers at the Beach

Feeling a little blue? A little blue, thanks to this accommodating male Mountain Bluebird, might actually do the trick and cheer you up! The perfect notecards for bird lovers! 

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

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

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

Profile of a Buff-Breasted Sandpiper at the Beach

Add a touch of nature and whimsy to your walls with this wildlife-themed decal! Perfect for bird lovers!

When you're this small and round, even watching you eat is a cute experience! Saw more of the tiny Sanderlings at the Boundary Bay Regional Park beach, just before Valentine's Day 2017. This one was foraging on the shoreline with 20 others of its kind, dining on the remnants of clams that had been already picked apart by gulls. 

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

Cute Sanderling Dines on Clam at Beach Wall Sticker

Bring a bit of feline with you, wherever you go, with this cat-themed tote! 

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

Stella the Grey Cat Tote Bag

Add a touch of nature and the colors of fall to the kitchen or dining room with this elegant, floral-themed serving tray, which features stunning red and gold autumn chrysanthemums.

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

Stunning Red Gold Autumn Chrysanthemum Flowers Serving Tray

Add a touch of the tropics to the living room or bedroom with this verdant, floral-themed blanket, which features the variegated forest green and white-veined leaves of the mosaic plant (aka nerve plant aka fittonia albivenis). Personalize with initial(s) and (sur)name.

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

Fittonia Mosaic Plant with Variegated Leaves Throw Blanket

Add a splash of personality to your wrist with an animal-themed watch from the walkswithnature™ Furry Friends collection.  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!  The perfect watch for cat lovers!

Whimsical The Cat and the Camellia Watch

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

Rufous Hummingbird Sips Blueberry Blossom Nectar Thermal Tumbler

Beautiful Female Northern Harrier in the Marsh Notebook

Beautiful Northern Harrier Hawk in the Marshes Golf Head Cover

An unexpectedly close encounter with a female Northern Harrier--who is a stunning study in brown--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

Holy Cow! It's a Holstein Friesian!

Holy Cow! It's a Holstein Friesian!

More from Walks with Nature

Other personalized gifts from various stores