Personalized Gifts

This is the first time I've been to Stanley Park in the autumn. On this chilly day, the waters were swimming with so much waterfowl, including American Wigeons, Black Oystercatchers, Surf Scoters, Hooded Mergansers, Common Mergansers, Harlequin Ducks, Double-Crested Cormorants, the odd Pied-Billed Grebe, and hundreds of Barrow's Goldeneyes. What surprised me was how comfortable (and perhaps, even curious) some of these seabirds were with the various human users (bikers, hikers, dogwalkers), of the Stanley Park Seawall. This is the closest I've gotten to one particularly curious Barrow's Goldeneye.

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

Profile of a Barrow's Goldeneye

The perfect greeting cards for cat lovers!  This l'il shadowboxer looks like s/he means business, but that stern expression belies a very friendly nature. It takes a very trusting feline to walk right up to a complete stranger, lie on the ground, and roll around several times (showing belly) in the parking lot at the Ladner Harbour Park (where it looks like a film shoot or a local festival is being set up) as if she's known you all her life. She certainly knows how to play up to the camera -- those yellow eyes never leave it (maybe she's a studio cat)! Oh, and she came by to rub my legs after she finished with her sandbath.

Cute Shadowboxing Orange Tabby Cat in the Gravel

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

An adult Bald Eagle flies into the sunset at the Wireless 40 Station in Ladner, British Columbia. We saw 40-50 Bald Eagles (a conservative estimate) of various ages in this area in late December 2016--most were roosting high in the tops of trees scattered through this dog park. Features inspirational quote "may dreams give you wings to soar new skies".

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

Inspirational Bald Eagle in Winter Sunset Flight

Blue Jays may be one of North America's most iconic bird species, but they are rarely found on the West Coast. However, this one has discovered that Ladner Harbor Park in beautiful British Columbia is a great place to hang out and avoid the nasty snowfalls of the east. S/he's been "resident" in this forest since early November 2020 and grants an audience to whomever is willing to shell out a handout of peanuts first. Photographed in late March 2021. 

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

Cute Blue Jay Songbird on Treestump

The Red-Breasted Nuthatches who patronize the backyard are all business when it comes to procuring sunflower seeds (although they may linger on the suet feeder). They are even quicker to dash and dine (or dash and cache) than the Black-Capped Chickadees, so it is extremely rare to see the former even perched on a branch for any length of time.

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

Beautiful Red-Breasted Nuthatch on a Branch

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

I was privileged to see a Saker Falcon in the feathers a couple of years ago. This female was so well-mannered with the large (and often noisy) crowds in attendance, as a matter of fact, that her handler rarely needed to be present to tend to her feathered charge! Chosen for thousands of years as a popular falconry bird for its exceptional trainability, this large, pale Eurasian beauty is sadly--despite being endowed with great hunting prowess, power, and speed--an endangered hierofalcon species thanks to loss and destruction of its habitat. 

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

Vignetted Portrait of an Inquisitive Saker Falcon

Add a touch of nature to the living room or bedroom with this wildlife-themed throw! The perfect gift idea for bird lovers!

This Long-Eared Owl, unlike the others of its kind, was sleeping in the surprising warmth of a mid-winter sunset. Completely at ease with the trio of photographers enthralled by the wonder of its presence, this nocturnal hunter napped the afternoon away, rarely opening those golden eyes to stare briefly past our lenses, and perhaps, into the souls of its observers.

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

Beautiful Long-Eared Owl at Sunset Throw Pillow

I'd hardly call a Spotted Towhee a cute little bird. The red eyes on this large sparrow are mesmerizing and can best be described as eerie. However, this frontal shot of one eating seeds left by visitors captures its curiosity, chubbiness, and strikingly beautiful plumage. Photographed at the stone bridge of Stanley Park's Lost Lagoon on a chilly late November afternoon.

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

Profile of a Spotted Towhee Magnet

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

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 Jigsaw Puzzle

Add a touch of nature to the kitchen with this wildlife-themed kitchen towel! 

The early blooming pyracantha bush has proven to be very popular with a number of fall and winter birds, including this American Robin. Earlier this fall, I spotted six of these thrushes feasting away at the same time!  My subject didn't need to share the pommes with another feathered friend, and didn't budge when I had the lens pointed her way from the front door. In fact, she continued to enjoy the bright red berries for a few moments more.

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

American Robin with a Pyracantha Pomme Towel

Add a little character to the office -- or office party -- with this elegant floral-themed tie, which features a repeating pattern of yin-yang styled Japanese painted ferns, isolated on black and digitally rendered in fiery orange and electric blue hues. With a leaf shape evocative of both feathers and flames, this most ancient of plants boasts a simple but dazzling and unique artistry.

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

Electric Blue Fiery Orange Japanese Painted Ferns Neck Tie

Nothing says "you complete me" or "your better/other half" than these whimsical, wildlife-themed lovers' mugs.

Black-Capped Chickadees are familiar, all-year-round residents in Metro Vancouver. Huge flocks can be found at the Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary. If one stops there for just even a few moments during early morning visits in the fall and winter, one is likely to be mobbed for sunflower seeds by these round little balls of black and white.

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

Black-Capped Chickadees Coffee Mug Set

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

Profile of a Barrow's Goldeneye

Profile of a Barrow's Goldeneye

More from Walks with Nature

Other personalized gifts from various stores