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7 Killdeer were frequenting the mudflats near the pumphouse at Boundary Bay Regional Park / Centennial Beach after the first snowfall to truly blanket the region and turn normally flowing watercourses into frozen lakes of ice and snow. In my admittedly short 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 on Icy Mudflats Postcard

Who ya calling a turkey? I spotted this handsome male Ring-Necked Pheasant foraging in the oddest of places ... not a marsh or wild woodland habitat, but the green well-maintained grass of a heritage air park! He did not seem concerned that a couple of camera lenses was trained on him, but, from time to time, would stand up on his legs, flap his wings, and give his best rooster impression, before returning to the task of foraging. On a rather birdless day, seeing this gamebird made my day. Photographed on Good Friday 2017.

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

Surprised Ring-Necked Pheasant in Grass Postcard

If someone combined the adorably big head and black eyes of a Black-Capped Chickadee with the colours and bill of a Kookaburra in a Jay-sized body, they'd have the whimsically-named Whiskeyjack. Also known by its less colourful aliases of Canada Jay and Gray Jay, we saw no fewer than six of Canada's official national birds at Manning Park's Lightning Lake, where they would boldly descend on picnic tables in the hopes of free handouts.

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

Grey Jay Whiskeyjack Songbird in Evergreen Tree Postcard

This juvenile Bald Eagle came within 20 feet of me as it flew over my head during my walk through the local wildlife habitat on an early spring day in 2017. We locked eyes briefly (neither really daunted by the presence of the other), and then it continued to wing its way to a copse of dead trees where several others of its kind were roosting.

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

Stunning Bald Eagle Does a Flyover Postcard

This lovely profusion of small white flowers was found decorating the main "square" of the VanDusen Botanical Garden.  Bridal Wreath Spirea is relatively easy to care for, but can grow up to 10 feet tall and wide if not pruned.

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

Beautiful Floral Bridalwreath Spiraea Postcard

Nothing heralds spring like Tree Swallows. These small and very approachable birds amaze me with their astonishing aerial maneuvers and beautiful iridescent blue plumage--the latter, which I am privileged to capture during moments like this one. 

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

Handsome Tree Swallow Songbird Bird on a Wire Postcard

I can't get enough of these well-dressed and beautiful soloists, who are all-year-round residents in Metro Vancouver. Until late May 2016, when I encountered a fledgling in the backyard, I was unaware that a few pairs of White-Crowned Sparrows were raising families nearby (and, as I had suspected, last year, too, in the cotoneaster bush out front!)

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

White-Crowned Sparrow Songbird in the Grass Postcard

A closeup of a gorgeous young male Golden Eagle, who immediately proved restless and eager to fly free from his handler and exhibitor. My first encounter with this species.

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

Vision of a Beautiful Young Golden Eagle Postcard

Add a touch of nature to the kitchen with this stunning, wildlife-themed all-over-print apron!

On a very memorable Boxing Day 2017, these diminutive Green-Winged Teals were waddling daintily on the frozen ice with many others of their kind on the marshes lining Burnaby Lake's Piper Spit--proving to be very co-operative with the photographers. The same could not be said for the more standoffish Buffleheads, who were many yards from sight.

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

Cute Trio of Green-Winged Teals Ducks Apron

Add a touch of nature to the holidays with this wildlife-themed ornament!   

Rufous Hummingbirds have usually left Metro Vancouver for Mexico by mid August, so it was a delight to see and photograph this exceedingly feisty straggler in the backyard. This little scrapper has been (successfully, for the past two days) giving grief to the juvenile male Anna's hummingbird who has owned the backyard for most of the summer (as well as the other feathered friends who visit), vigorously defending every flower and feeder in sight. This hybrid fruit tree branch has become its favorite perch, and gave me quite a few photographic opportunities. Photographed on September 4, 2016.

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

Cute Rufous Hummingbird on Fruit Tree Metal Ornament

What you choose to build anticipation of a gift with is just as important as the gift itself. This gift bag, which features a beautiful female Rufous hummingbird sipping blueberry blossom nectar in the spring, is perfect for nature lovers or children's birthday parties.

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 Flower Nectar Small Gift Bag

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

This neighborhood cat has been very neighbourly since summer 2014 ... visiting regularly for her dose of birdwatching, cuddles, and saucer of milk. 

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

Cute Visiting Long-Haired Calico Cat in the Garden Jigsaw Puzzle

By far, Columbian Ground Squirrels are the most entertaining wildlife at Manning Park, and the first ones to greet us in the parking lot of Manning Park Resort. These Prairie Dogs of the West were positioned near their network of holes in the ground (or in rotted tree stumps) and often calling in an upright position like meerkats or groundhogs (when they weren't chasing each other around or kissing). We found plenty at Manning Park Resort and Lightning Lake (particularly near the picnic tables). Columbian Ground Squirrels spend the short summer bulking up on fat reserves for their hibernation period, which lasts for seven months!

A Twitchy-Nosed Columbian Ground Squirrel Gel Mouse Pad

Marigolds aren't just eye candy; they've been used for culinary (teas, salads) and medicinal (anti-inflammatory) purposes for hundreds of years in European cultures. These beautiful, aromatic and showy blooms bloom all summer long into fall and even until the first frost. They are a natural mosquito repellent, and may also keep flower munchers like deer from the pride and joy in your garden. Photographed in mid June and mid July 2016 at local public and private gardens.

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

A Medley of Red Yellow and Orange Marigolds Magnet

Available in a delightful range of colors, calla lilies have long intrigued me with their elegant, pitcher-like flowers. These hardy South African natives have found a strong fan following in North American gardens as ornamental plants.

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

Killdeer Shorebird on Icy Mudflats Postcard

Killdeer Shorebird on Icy Mudflats Postcard

More from Walks with Nature

Other postcards from various stores