Personalized Gifts

Birding just a small clearing of forest in Minnekhada Regional Park in late May 2016 yielded two new bird species for my life list, including this Red-Breasted Sapsucker, who chose to fly to a dead tree as I was photographing some other birds. This handsome woodpecker did not call -- but its bright red head did all the talking for it. It was all I could do not to stop and stare.

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

Meeting a Red-Breasted Sapsucker

The perfect greeting cards for bird lovers!  Sanderlings are tiny -- and surprisingly, quite approachable -- migratory shorebirds that can be easily found on Vancouver beaches in the coldest winter months. This one was foraging on the shoreline with 100 of its kind and a few Dunlins. Photographed on a sunny autumn afternoon at Boundary Bay Regional Park.

Cute Sanderling Sandpiper Wanders Winter Shores

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

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

Fresh from their swim in one of the local wildlife refuge ponds, a pair of young Canada Goose goslings plays around in the grass under the watchful eyes of its protective parents.

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

A Pair of Playful Canada Goose Goslings

Looking deceptively like a baby duck, this full grown Bufflehead hen struck the perfect pose for me at one of the inner ponds at the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary. Curious "sentries" like this one will often detach themselves from the flock to satisfy their curiosity about those lenses pointed in their direction. I really doubt it's for the birdseed, unless we have discovered one with a sudden taste for them. :)  There was just enough afternoon sunlight left to reflect the blue skies in the waters, paint a catchlight in this Bufflehead's eyes, and cast a soft glow on her face.  With fall giving way to winter in just another week, we are seeing more and more of these tiny diving seaducks -- but always in small groups that tend to stay in waters far, far from human view. Though not skittish like Hooded Mergansers tend to be, I have yet to see a single Bufflehead set a webbed toe on land.

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

Cute Bufflehead Duck on Sunlit Waters

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.

Cute Kinglet Songbird Causes Stir in the Fir

The second summertime flowering of our gladiolus ... this mid-August blooming produced even more striking sword lilies, with more splashes of white to contrast against the bright red hues for a candy cane like effect. Truly a Christmas moment in August!

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

Stunning Red & White Gladiolus Sword Lilies

Use these wildlife-themed tiles to protect delicate surfaces, tables, and countertops from hot pots, or as accent pieces for the dining room or kitchen. 

When Bushtits come calling, it's a sudden avalanche of cuteness in the backyard -- because these social songbirds often show up in flocks of 10-30, feed briefly (and co-operatively) on the suet or whatever else they fancy (calling to each other constantly as they do so), and leave as quickly as they came. Once in a while, though, they will stay for 15-30 minutes. I photographed this damp fellow--who was caught in the morning rain--taking a moment to pause on the laurel bush. Some of his fellow Bushtits were actually bathing on the laurel leaves, like hummingbirds do. Photographed in early July 2016.

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

Cute Wet Young Bushtit Songbird on the Laurel Tile

The start of the growing season means the return of the diminutive but feisty Rufous Hummingbirds to Metro Vancouver. From March through August, their presence means increased competition for nectar feeders and flowers for the resident Anna's hummingbirds. This fellow was one of five Rufouses to visit the Richmond Nature Park regularly on an early spring day. We witnessed extremely vocal and physical territorial disputes (which were, rather comically, inversely proportional to the size of the combatants). Photographed on April 4, 2016.

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

Sitting Pretty: Male Rufous Hummingbird Classic Round Sticker

Cape May Warbler with Flowering Mahonia

Cape May Warbler Songbird with Flowering Mahonia Jigsaw Puzzle

Stunning Cape May Warbler Songbird on Mahonia Mouse Pad

During a rather warm morning in February 2019, in Abbotsford's Mill Lake Park, I was privileged to meet a handsome male Cape May Warbler, feeding on the mahonia--better known as Oregon grape. Both bird and blossom were equally odd to see at that time of the year -- the former for being in the area at all (in fact, it was the first recorded sighting of this species in Metro Vancouver) and the latter for mysteriously flowering in the dead of winter!

My friendly feathered subject (who should have been overwintering in a more tropical place like Barbados or the Turks & Caicos) was an instant celebrity, and quickly became accustomed to all the lenses pointed his way as he made himself eating or resting in the mahonia.

WWN Cape May Warbler in the Flowering Mahonia

Take a bit of nature with you, wherever you go with this whimsical, wildlife-themed drawstring backpack! 

A number of small, green, duckweed-covered frogs were seen frequenting a pond just outside of the Minnekhada Lodge, but this cute little fellow took the cake with his unflappable "pose on a hose." Photographed in mid-August 2016.

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

Cute Green Frog Strikes a Pose on the Hose Drawstring Bag

The first time I've had the opportunity to shoot a Bewick's Wren out in the open, and at fairly close range. This beautiful long-tailed songbird must have sensed that I wanted to photograph it, and returned my curiosity with its own by posing on this branch for a few moments. Photographed in January 2017.

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

A Curious Bewick's Wren in the Tree Ceramic Knob

Add a touch of nature to your dining experience with this floral-themed placemat.

Also known by their other aliases of "Red Star" and "Rosy Posy" (my favourite), I found a bed of these small but hardy South African perennials flourishing in one of our local public gardens. Summer brings forth bright pink star-shaped flowers with their telltale hidden hearts -- low growing plants that make great ground cover.

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

Rhodohypoxis / Red Star / Rosy Posy Placemat

Offer a bit of nature and inspiration with these floral-themed hand sanitizers, which feature the variegated leaves of the tropical fittonia aka mosaic or nerve plant.

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

Meeting a Red-Breasted Sapsucker

Meeting a Red-Breasted Sapsucker

More from Walks with Nature

Other personalized gifts from various stores