Personalized Gifts

My second sighting of Mallard mom with ten young ducklings at the local pond. These ducklings couldn't be more than a few days old, and already they were swimming and floating like little corks under the watchful eye of Mother Mallard (who was anything but a Mother Hen).

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

Mom Extraordinaire: One Prolific Mallard Hen

Owls are such fascinating creatures. They are front page newsmakers, drawing the interest of birders, nature lovers, and just about everyone else who has a pulse. Snowy Owls are especially charismatic; the largest owls in North America only show up in Metro Vancouver every few years, and their appearance during our winters causes crowds of admirers and fans to form and flock.

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

Beautiful Dreamy Serene Snowy Owl Greeting Card

My closest encounter with a magnificent male Pileated Woodpecker, who was busy carving out a hole in a very tall tree. Rather than be spooked by the presence of a photographer nearby, this largest of North American woodpeckers would stop briefly to see who was rustling the dead leaves on the forest floor, and then resume his woodworking activities. Photographed on Galiano Island in the early evening of July 3, 2017.

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

Beautiful Pileated Woodpecker on the Tree

Hanging with my peeps! Despite the 60-80 Sanderlings probing the shoreline, getting a group photo of this high-energy flock (which was soon joined by another flock of 30-40 Sanderlings) in action was a bit difficult (imagine kindergarten-aged children running amok all over the place); shots of bills submerged in water as well as feathered butts pointed in my direction were the norm.

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

Funny Cute 4 Sanderlings Sandpipers at the Beach

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 Gray Cat One Fine Feline

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

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!

Funny Cute Saucy Columbian Ground Squirrel

Her cobalt blue mascara never runs! Quiet as her mate is noisy, this female Eclectus Parrot surprised me even further by choosing to perch uncharacteristically close to my lens.

Beautiful "Lady in Red" Eclectus Parrot

Add a touch of nature to the kitchen or dining room with this whimsical, wildlife-themed glass coaster. 

My first encounter with a bold and friendly Ash-Throated Flycatcher, who was only too happy to crack a large and ebullient smile for my lens between hawking for grasshoppers on a sunny autumn afternoon. Photographed in mid-October 2020.

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

Smiling Ash-Throated Flycatcher on Hawthorn Branch Glass Coaster

WWN Golden Pheasant Between the Leaves

WWN Profile of a Golden Pheasant

WWN Surprised Ring-Necked Pheasant in the Grass

WWN Sooty Grouse in the Grass

WWN Stunning Roul-Roul Crested Wood Partridge

With their dazzlingly plumage and flamboyant displays during courtship, pheasants, partridges, and grouses are some of the most inventive and original personalities in the bird world.

WWN Gamebirds

18-Spotted Yellow and Black Ladybug Ceramic Tile

18-Spotted Yellow and Black Ladybug Jigsaw Puzzle

This isn't the first time I've seen a ladybug which wasn't red and spotted, but it is certainly the first one I've been able to photograph and count the number of spots on its carapace! This beneficial insect is busy nibbling the aphids on the old plum tree leaves (note: this leaf is *not* wet; it is covered in aphid poo!)

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

WWN 18-Spotted Yellow and Black Ladybug on a Plum Leaf

Add a touch of personality to refreshments with this wildlife-themed can cooler. A great gift idea for birders, bird lovers, and nature lovers!

A curious and vocal Marsh Wren darts out of the marsh, long enough for me to snap his photo. Like most wrens found in Metro Vancouver, Marsh Wrens are songbirds that you tend to hear more of than you actually see. Photographed on the shores of the manmade Surrey Lake Park.

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

A Beautiful Marsh Wren in--Where Else?--the Marsh Can Cooler

Cute Kinglet Songbird Causes a Stir in the Fir Metal Ornament

Cute Kinglet Songbird Causes Stir in the Fir Watch

Cute Kinglet Songbird Causes Stir in the Fir Gel Mouse Pad

Cute Little Kinglet Causes a Stir in the Fir Placemat

Cute Kinglet Songbird Causes Stir in the Fir Magnet

Add a touch of nature to the kitchen or dining room with this whimsical, wildlife-themed sandstone coaster. 

During my second visit to Surrey's Elgin Heritage Park, my wish to see a Golden-Crowned Kinglet again was granted with the appearance of one of several accomplished singers in a giant fir tree. A diminutive but high-energy and multi-tasking bundle of energy--being able to sing, and flit from branch to branch while hunting for insects--the Golden-Crowned Kinglet 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

WWN Golden-Crowned Kinglet Causes a Stir in the Fir (II)

Add a little character to the office -- or office party -- with this whimsical, wildlife-themed tie.  A number of these large butterflies were flying through the Boundary Bay Wildlife Management Area during our early evening visit, but this one was "kind" enough to grant us an impromptu studio session for a few minutes while it fluttered and fed from the local flora.

Beautiful Anise Swallowtail Butterfly in the Sun Neck Tie

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

It's not a Pacific Northwest winter unless you see the Varied Thrush. One of my favorite backyard birds to see (and a highly elusive one at that), this songbird has a stunning beauty to match the hauntingly beautiful timbre of its song. This handsome fellow was foraging in the backyard with several other wintering birds when I photographed him from the second floor--giving me a rare bird's eye view of t him. We almost never see them during the summer when they spend that season northwards in Alaska, but the call of the colder seasons of the year brings them back to us. Photographed in mid-January 2017.

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

Mom Extraordinaire: One Prolific Mallard Hen

Mom Extraordinaire: One Prolific Mallard Hen

More from Walks with Nature

Other personalized gifts from various stores