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 lone representative of its species (a recently recognized and separate species of the black geese family), a Cackling Goose (once considered a Canada Goose subspecies), plies the waters of an inner pond at Jericho Park on a sunny and surprisingly warm-for-winter afternoon. A much shorter bill and smaller body size set this goose apart from its larger Canada Goose cousin.

Profile of a Cackling Goose

Our resident adult male Anna's hummingbird has never let me photograph him at close range, but on one evening in late May 2016, he came to sit on one of the old plum tree branches, just a few feet away from me. 

Perhaps, after seeing how comfortable the four visiting Rufous hummingbirds were around me, he probably figured that there wasn't anything scary about me -- and that I might even afford him some protection from the little hellraisers. So rather than being on the receiving end of his metallic scratchy or tick-tick-tick calls, he stared for a few moments into my lens, and then went to feed from the nectar feeder before making a much less frenzied exit than was his usual style.

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

Stunning Anna's Hummingbird on Plum Tree Greeting

Baby's first swim! This is a very young Mallard duckling in the reeds. S/he's not even a week old (perhaps just a few days), and already taking to the water like a pro at the local pond. 

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

Duckling in the Reeds

Beautiful Varied Thrush Songbird in the Snow

Varied Thrush in the Snow Christmas Holiday

After sitting outside for an hour and a half as the afternoon snow fell quickly and in fat clumps this afternoon, this beautiful male Varied Thrush finally ventured to the bowl of the seed on the ground. Occasionally, he would look up and gaze in my direction before resuming his meal. After eating his fill (and keeping the other, smaller songbirds at bay), he returned to flipping leaf litter under the thicket. My first time photographing a Varied Thrush in the snow. Taken in early February 2017. 

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

WWN Stunning Varied Thrush in the Driving Snow

Metro Vancouver's second snowstorm of the winter season finally brought the lovely and much anticipated male Varied Thrush to my backyard, where he spent the greater part of the day excavating the white stuff for tasty grubs. With their dazzling palette of orange, grey, and black hues, this reclusive songbird is a welcome sight during the monochromatic winter months. Photographed in mid-February 2019.

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

Stunning Varied Thrush Songbird in the Snow

The African Superb Starling is such a beautiful rainbow of colours. When it makes an entrance, it really makes an entrance; it's no shrinking violet. Rare, though, is the moment when it stays still long enough to get a photo of it, but got it I did, as it waited for its turn to bathe in the waterfall.

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

A Stunning African Superb Starling Songbird

With its wide open spaces, the Boundary Bay Wildlife Management Area is home to many different species of songbirds as well as several raptors. I found the brown-tinged feathers on this rather bold Black-Capped Chickadee--who was anticipating a free handout of seeds--rather interesting. Perhaps a hybrid with a Chestnut-Backed Chickadee was one of its parents (or grandparents)?

Profile of a Black-Capped Chickadee

The humble but prolific anise hyssop (hummingbird mint) is the flower of choice for hummingbirds, and the ease with which these small fragrant pink (or red or orange) flowers grow makes them popular with honeybees, bumblebees, and many other insects too. Taken earlier in the summer of 2016, when an abundance of visiting Rufous hummingbirds meant more feeding opportunities for these little red birds (and more contenders for the resident Anna's hummingbirds meant more opportunities to photograph the feisty  little migrants and challengers).

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

Rufous Hummingbird Feeding on the Anise Hyssop

Keep notes, reminders, and more in this whimsical, wildlife-themed journal. The perfect choice for bird lovers! They're not juniper berries, but this bird--which is rarely seen here in the Metro Vancouver area--clearly isn't finicky when it comes to winter fruits. This Townsend's Solitaire (another bird for my life list) materialized on our front lawn pyracantha bush on December 9, 2015, but it required two more visits more a week later to finally get proof of this handsome thrush.

Townsend's Solitaire on the Pyracantha Notebook

Show off your love of cats with this feline-inspired luggage tag! 

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

Stunning Stella the Grey Cat Sketch Luggage Tag

Stunning Black Oystercatcher Shorebird with Clam

Stunning Black Oystercatcher Shorebird with Clam Drawstring Bag

Black Oystercatcher Shorebird Fishing at the Beach Clock

Black Oystercatcher Shorebird Fishing at the Beach Towel

Stunning Black Oystercatcher Shorebird with Clam Postcard

Seafood dining at its best! One of five Black Oystercatchers we spotted on a windy, cloudy day at the Tsawwassen Ferry Jetty over the Great Backyard Bird Count 2017 (Feb 17-20) weekend. The fishing (clamming?) was good ... these shorebirds were hauling in clam after clam after clam!

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

WWN Stunning Black Oystercatcher Shorebird with Clam

Add a touch of nature to your desktop or laptop PC with this wildlife-themed mousepad. The perfect choice for bird lovers! 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.

Vision of a Beautiful Young Golden Eagle Gel Mouse Pad

After meeting one of his "brothers" on Iona Island last weekend, I hardly expected to come face to face with another male Northern Harrier -- but there he was, flying over and seeking *us* out after having feasted handsomely a few minutes before. 

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

Meeting a Red-Breasted Sapsucker

Meeting a Red-Breasted Sapsucker

More from Walks with Nature

Other personalized gifts from various stores