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One of 7 Killdeer frequenting the mudflats near the pumphouse at Boundary Bay Regional Park / Centennial Beach after the first snowfall blanketed the Metro Vancouver region and turned normally flowing watercourses into frozen lakes of ice and snow. In my 2 years of birding, I have never encountered Killdeer at this time of the year (winter is a week away), let alone under the current weather conditions. Photographed in mid-December 2016 during an unseasonably prolonged cold snap.

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

Killdeer Shorebird in Freezing Mudflats Postcard

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.

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

Beautiful Semipalmated Plover at Beach Postcard

They seem like brittle beauties, but these purple star-like flowers are surprisingly hardy, drought-resistance perennials, especially given their South African roots. Purple ice plants bloom throughout summer and make for colorful groundcover.

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

Beautiful Purple Ice Plant Flowers Postcard

A wonderful discovery in Elgin Heritage Park, dressed in burnt orange and black: one of two adult male Black-Headed Grosbeaks foraging in the trees at the start of the trail (with a male Downy Woodpecker for company). This fellow was so curious about me that he came down to a different tree and a lower branch to check out the photographer. Photographed in mid-May 2017.

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

Beautiful Black-Headed Grosbeak Songbird in Tree Postcard

A rehabilitated bald eagle is set free on the local raptor wildlife rehabilitation center during its 2015 summer open house weekend, to the amazement of a full house of bird watchers.

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

A Magnificent Bald Eagle Flies Free Postcard

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 Postcard

Sometimes a mistake can be the path to a new technique. This Crested Iris was actually photographed outdoors under natural daylight after I forgot to reset shutter speed and aperture settings from the previous photo--which turned out to be perfect for highlighting its delicate petals. 

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

Elegant Floral Crested Iris Shaga Postcard

We had our first trio of Rufous hummingbirds arrive in the backyard in early April 2017. This adult male was uncharacteristically taken with the early-blooming flowering currant bush and the sextet of hummingbird feeders scattered throughout the area, and stayed for a week--a real treat, considering most of the adult males usually only stay a day, passing through to more northern climes (Alaska) for the breeding season. Getting a decent shot of him has been a cat-and-mouse game, however, and this pose of him on the cherry tree (with his flashing reddish gorget and rufous feathers) was only possible because my subject did not know that he was being photographed.

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

Stunning Rufous Hummingbird on the Cherry Tree Postcard

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

This is the first time I've been to Stanley Park in the autumn. On this chilly day, the waters were swimming with so much waterfowl, including American Wigeons, Black Oystercatchers, Surf Scoters, Hooded Mergansers, Common Mergansers, Harlequin Ducks, Double-Crested Cormorants, the odd Pied-Billed Grebe, and hundreds of Barrow's Goldeneyes. What surprised me was how comfortable (and perhaps, even curious) some of these seabirds were with the various human users (bikers, hikers, dogwalkers), of the Stanley Park Seawall. 

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

Barrow's Goldeneye Ducks at Stanley Park Seawall Jigsaw Puzzle

Enjoy "the fruits" of your labor with these colorful food jar stickers, which feature a medley of red and yellow tomatoes and green tomatillos! Personalize the top and bottom of each sticker with description (name and/or food) and canning date. Give jars an extra special branded or personal touch, and let the user know at a glance exactly what they can look forward to. Great for those who make tomato chutney, sauce, and salsa. Perfect for the foodie, gourmet, or gourmand!

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

Red Yellow Tomatoes and Green Tomatillos Rectangular Sticker

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

A top-down view of a bicolored striped sweat bee pollinating a strikingly colored, wild-growing blanketflower on a midsummer's day. Photographed in mid-August 2018 in Richmond, BC, Canada.

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

Green Sweat Bee Pollinating Wild Blanketflower Jigsaw Puzzle

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

The Cat and the Camellia Classic Round Sticker

Add a touch of nature to your dining experience with this placemat, which features a stunning medley of primulas. These bicolor, early spring blooming beauties beckoned me with their dazzlingly vivid palettes of reds, pinks, purples, and yellows.

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

Colorful Springtime Medley of Primulas Placemat

Bring a bit of nature with you, wherever you go, with this tote!

Even from a distance, this large Japanese maple tree draws attention to itself with a lovely profusion of crimson leaves. Photographed in early June 2017.

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

Red Maple Leaves Tote Bag

Bring a bit of nature with you, wherever you go, with this wildlife-themed tote! 

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

Killdeer Shorebird in Freezing Mudflats Postcard

Killdeer Shorebird in Freezing Mudflats Postcard

More from Walks with Nature

Other postcards from various stores