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After the time of many showy blooms had passed at the end of July, this lovely ornamental flower, a South African native also known as the River Lily or Crimson Flag, continues to awe and hold its own at the UBC Botanical Garden. 

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

Kaffir Lily / River Lily / Hesperantha Coccinea

A friendly Sulfur-Crested Cockatoo styles its crest and waves at the photographer at the same time.

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

Sulfur-Crested Cockatoo Waves at the Photographer

The perfect greeting cards for bird lovers!  One of two Hooded Merganser drakes who was practising his courtship rituals (without benefit of a female audience). He must have been pretty surprised to see his maneuvers recorded!

A Surprised Hooded Merganser

The perfect greeting cards for bird lovers!  A rare moment of co-operation and tenderness between Sanderlings (who are more likely to go solo or chase each other during their hunts) in their search for snacks on the shore.

Cute Pair of Sanderlings Sandpipers Shares a Meal

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

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

The perfect notecards for hummingbird lovers! This female Anna's hummingbird adds a bit of colour and personality to the backyard on a rainy day. She is quiet and stealthy--and can often materialize without making a sound. Contrast this behaviour with that of the male, who makes himself heard well before I see him. Photographed perching on the Scarlet Trumpet vine after furtively having several long sips from the new nectar feeder--which has also drawn the attention and interest of at least one Black-Capped Chickadee, too.

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

Anna's Hummingbird on the Scarlet Trumpetvine

If the legendary celestial phoenix had an earthly form, it would have to be this creature. Golden Pheasants are showstoppers, wherever you see them. In their natural environment, these shy creatures seek the underbrush in the day and roost high in trees at night. As with most birds in the avian kingdom, the males are the ones who dress to impress, and this uncharacteristically bold fellow is no exception. This is the red gold variant. 

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

Stunning Profile of a Red Golden Pheasant

Add a touch of nature to your wheels with this customizable and whimsical, wildlife-themed bumper sticker, which wittily proclaims this cute little sandpiper's pacifist proclivities!

I missed seeing one of these tiny plovers in the summer, but my subject, in its non-breeding plumage, is no less beautiful for it! A rare sight for this time of the year (usually these dainty-looking shorebirds are already wintering along the coasts of the Southwestern U.S., Central America, and South America), this Semipalmated Plover was frequenting the shores of Boundary Bay at Centennial Beach during high tide, in (almost) mid-December, along with a flock of Dunlins and Sanderlings on a surprisingly sunny (and warm-for-almost-winter) day.

Design © W.H. Sim. See more at zazzle.com/walkswithnature

Funny Semipalmated Plover Not a Fighter Bumper Sticker

The handful of Canada Geese I spotted at the Boundary Bay Regional Park on December 31, 2015, were greatly outnumbered by a massive congregation of 3,000-5,000 Dunlins, a wide assortment of American Wigeons, Green-Winged Teals, Northern Pintails, and 70 Brants--but this quintet, picking their way through the floes nearer to shore for tidbits, were easier to photograph than the rest.

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

Five Goosestepping Canada Geese Photo Print

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

A male Tree Swallow quietly sits in the afternoon sun on a tree branch at at Iona Island, showing off his lovely iridescent blue feathers. Photographed in late May 2016.

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

Stunning Tree Swallow Songbird on a Branch Mouse Pad

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 Poker Cards

Add a touch of nature and elegance to any room in your home with this colorful, floral-themed switchplate cover!

These stunning red and gold autumn chrysanthemums add a striking fall-inspired accent to any room.

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

Stunning Red Gold Autumn Chrysanthemum Flowers Light Switch Cover

Keep notes, reminders, and more in this wildlife-themed journal. The perfect choice for bird lovers! This male Downy Woodpecker announced himself quite vocally with a trademark chip-chip-chip repertoire just before making an appearance on this dead tree. He proceeded to peck away at his perch, oblivious of the solitary camera lens trained on him and the many walkers on the trail.

Cute Downy Woodpecker on the Tree Notebook

A Showstopping Ruddy Turnstone Serving Tray

A Showstopping Ruddy Turnstone Shorebird Jigsaw Puzzle

A Showstopping Ruddy Turnstone Photo Print

This gorgeous loner, a late migrant Ruddy Turnstone, had no qualms about the myriad of lenses pointed his way on an early sunny afternoon at the south side of the Tsawwassen Ferry Jetty. From time to time, he would amaze us with his extraordinary feats of strength (this involved lifting clumps of kelp much bigger than himself, in his search for grubs and other tasty aquatic comestibles that shorebirds such as he would find irresistibly delectable -- great comic relief). Once in a while, he would pause to show us his best side (all of them). Clearly, he knew that the spotlight was on him, and he used it to his best advantage. My first encounter with this well-camouflaged shorebird, and another bird for my life list.

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

Kaffir Lily / River Lily / Hesperantha Coccinea

Kaffir Lily / River Lily / Hesperantha Coccinea

More from Walks with Nature

Other cards from various stores