One of the larger shorebirds to visit Metro Vancouver during the spring and summer months, I spotted this pair of juvenile Marbled Godwits catching some autumn sunshine on the mudflats with a medley of American Wigeons, Eurasian Wigeons, and Mallards. Photographed at Blackie Spit, South Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, in November 2018.

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

Marbled Godwits at Blackie Spit Photo Print

I've only met the Blue-Winged Teals this year, and each encounter has brought me progressively closer to these summering migrants! Like Gadwall drakes, Blue-Winged Teal drakes dress conservatively for their women. No flashy feathers are necessary -- just plenty of personality!

Portrait of a Blue-Winged Teal Photo Print

This is my second visit to Surrey's Elgin Heritage Park, and I really wished to see a Golden-Crowned Kinglet again, my first photos of it on a deciduous tree being nothing but blurs.

My wish was granted with one of several accomplished singers in a giant fir tree, a high-energy, multi-tasking (being able to sing, and flit from branch to branch while hunting for insects) Golden-Crowned Kinglet, who nevertheless proved to be a challenging subject to capture.

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

Cute Kinglet Songbird Causes Stir in the Fir Photo Print

They're back! On a surprisingly cold and rainy morning, two flocks of Bushtits (10 in each) flew in for brunch on the flowering carrot, butterfly bush, and California Lilac bush. Some took baths on the wet leaves, and these five guys were huddled on the plum tree for warmth. It was tricky trying to get the catchlight in everyone's eyes (and all of them facing the camera (more or less))--but without a doubt, these little birds are naturally and undeniably photogenic. Photographed in early July 2016 and featured on the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's allaboutbirds.org website.

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

Heartwarming Cute Bushtits Songbirds Family Photo

A juvenile Double-Crested Cormorant swims by and gives me a cursory once over at Ladner Harbour Park. One of three juveniles swimming in the marina (fairly close to the wharf), and one of five such individuals in the general area. The youngsters have much lighter plumage than the adults, but by the time the former have matured, they're also less likely to be so close to humans. Even from a distance, this species of cormorant is readily identifiable, thanks to its bright yellow face patch.

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

Profile of a Double-Crested Cormorant Photo Print

I was surprised to learn that Black-Headed Grosbeaks will fly to the ground to eat seed; my previous encounters with these strikingly-colored finches was strictly up (way up!) in the trees. This handsome fellow showed no restraints about catching some sun on the boardwalk, either, and unwittingly gave me several closeups of him in the process. Photographed at Campbell Valley Regional Park on July 2, 2016.

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

Closeup of a Handsome Black-Headed Grosbeak Photo Print

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

Adorable Rufous Hummingbird on Branch Photo Print

The label of lovebirds is particularly fitting for rock pigeons; they mate for life, and mourn the passing of their mates much as most humans would. Rock pigeons--like this pair--were engaging in courtship rituals or being overly affectionate with each other in Stanley Park's Lost Lagoon. These morphs were not rare; in fact, we saw quite a few pairs sporting these color combinations. Even odder still, the white/partially leucistic ones were males, and the brown morphs females! Apparently, gentlemen prefer redheads here! The perfect photo print for bird lovers!

Lovey-Dovey Pigeons: Gentlemen Prefer Redheads Photo Print

Beautiful Black-Headed Grosbeak in a Tree Ceramic Tile

Beautiful Black-Headed Grosbeak in a Tree Classic Round Sticker

Beautiful Black-Headed Grosbeak in a Tree Magnet

Beautiful Black-Headed Grosbeak in a Tree Pinback Button

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

WWN Beautiful Black-Headed Grosbeak in the Tree

Add a touch of nature to the kitchen or dining room with this stunning premium wildlife-themed acrylic coaster set, which features four colorful ducks (clockwise from top left): hooded merganser, bufflehead, green-winged teal, and barrow's goldeneye! A great gift idea for bird and nature lovers!

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

A Stunning Quartet of Colorful Ducks (I) Coaster Set

My second visit to the Maplewood Conservation Area in North Vancouver produced meetings with not two, but six blacktail deer in a clearing ... four fawns and two does who seemed completely at ease with the small group of photographers in their midst. The younger ones seemed almost as curious about the humans as we were about them! This fawn was extremely happy to be alive, bounding in a very Bambi-esque manner through the forest! Photographed in late August 2016.

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

Vignetted Portrait of Smiling Blacktail Deer Fawn  Wrapping Paper

Use this elegant, floral-themed tile to protect delicate surfaces, tables, and countertops from hot pots, or as accent pieces for the dining room, kitchen, or anywhere else in the home!

I could not pass up an opportunity to photograph these newly bloomed orange Asiatic Tiger lilies, freshly anointed with rain drops from a shower earlier in the afternoon. Photographed in early June 2017.

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

Rain-Kissed Orange Asiatic Tiger Lilies Ceramic Tile

Add a little character to the office -- or office party -- with this floral-themed tie. 

Symbolizing elegance, gratitude, grace, and sweetness, these soft pink roses really brightened up an overcast day. Photographed in late May 2016 at the Colony Farm Community Gardens.

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

Elegant Pink Roses Floral Neck Tie

Add a splash of personality to your wrist with a wildlife-themed watch from the walkswithnature™ Watch the Birdie™ collection.  

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 Sandpiper Shorebird Dines on Clam Watch

Add a pop of color to the garden with Arizona Sun blanket flowers. These perennials brighten up even the dreariest places, are remarkably drought resistant, attract butterflies, and bloom from summer through fall. Photographed at the entrance to the UBC Botanical Gardens in July 2016.

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

Marbled Godwits at Blackie Spit Photo Print

Marbled Godwits at Blackie Spit Photo Print

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Other products from various stores