Personalized Gifts

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

After the time of many showy blooms had passed at the end of July, this lovely ornamental flower, a South African native also known as the River Lily or Crimson Flag, continues to awe and hold its own at the UBC Botanical Garden. 

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

Kaffir Lily / River Lily / Hesperantha Coccinea

A pair of Sandhill Cranes wades through the shallow waters of the local wildlife refuge on a cloudy mid-winter's day. These are the largest birds that can be seen in Metro Vancouver all year round, more often on the ground, but occasionally in the air, too. As wild (and large) as they are, the ones who frequent the Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary will consent to being handfed, and indeed, sometimes demand disbursement of birdseed this way!

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

A Pair of Wading Greater Sandhill Cranes

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

This is how birders get together to do lunch!

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!

This photo was the 1st Place Winner in the Behavior Category of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's 2017 Great Backyard Bird Count Photo Contest (see this Bird Canada article here https://birdcanada.com/are-you-in-the-gbbc)

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

Stunning Black Oystercatcher Shorebird with Clam

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

It's hard not to be amazed by such beauty! I am so used to seeing Dunlins in flocks of hundreds and thousands in their non-breeding/winter plumage, that to encounter a solitary member of the species is a bit puzzling. S/he was in full breeding regalia, and in no particular hurry to fly north for the summer. 

We almost missed seeing this peep--so intent on photographing the 20 Greater Scaups much further out from shore--that it was many moments before I realized that this Dunlin was quite calmly "pacing" us some 6-8 feet away on the shoreline!

Being in such close proximity to this beauty enabled me to get a good look at that black belly patch and the wonderful russet brown feathers on its head and back!

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

A Beautiful Dunlin Goes Solo Card

The golfers on the fairway clearly didn't disturb this Eastern Cottontail Rabbit, who was busy munching away on the delicious and well-manicured greens. This one paused to mug for my camera, and then went right back to chewing on its verdant comestibles, unfazed by the attention.

Cute Bunny Chewing Greens on the Golf Fairway

A newly adult Canada Goose grooms itself at Piper Spit, Burnaby Lake, on a cloudy fall day, the angular and swan-like curve of its neck conveying an almost regal quality to this bird. Although migratory birds in many parts of the world, some Canada Geese are all-year-round residents in Metro Vancouver and the Pacific Northwest. Photographed in early November 2016.

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

Canada Goose on the Lake Hip Flask

Elegant Casablanca White Oriental Lilies Espadrilles

Elegant Casablanca White Oriental Lilies Bathroom Mat

Elegant Casablanca White Oriental Lilies Pillar Candle

Elegant Casablanca White Oriental Lilies Round Pillow

Mid-summer is the time of the season for lilies, and these delightfully fragrant white Casablanca Oriental lilies amazed me with their large size, abundance, and delicate beauty. Photographed in early August 2017 at a private garden.

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

WWN Elegant Casablanca White Oriental Lilies

A curious and very active Ruby-Crowned Kinglet explores a fruit-laden hawthorn bush (not for the berries, but for insects!) on a fine autumn afternoon. Photographed in early November 2020.

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

Cute Ruby-Crowned Kinglet Songbird on Bush Postcard

Add a touch of nature to the kitchen or dining room with this floral-themed serving tray, which features blooming allium giganteum (giant onion) flowers photographed against a bokeh of green and brown. The purple umbels not only add a splash of vibrant color and shape to gardens, but they are edible, too!

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

Purple Allium Giganteum Giant Onion Flowers Serving Tray

A red background and solid all-caps fonts add importance and ease of readability at a glance to this service animal ID tag. Personalize with animal's name and contact details on the reverse. Font type and font colors can be modified as desired. 

This design can also be adapted for guide dog, hearing dog, PTSD, and seizure response dog ID badges.

This ID tag is the companion piece to the photo ID badge: zazzle.com/red_official_service_animal_custom_photo_id_badge-256395418437635367

© W.H. Sim. All Rights Reserved. See more at zazzle.com/walkswithnature

Red Official Service Animal Pet ID Tag

Part brainteaser, part assemble-it-yourself art, this challenging, wildlife-themed puzzle is great for improving muscle memory. Despite spring being almost another month away, these two Wood Ducks were getting quite comfortable with each other at Burnaby Lake. Plenty of touchingly intimate moments were happening between drake and hen, even with the hundreds of other ducks and wading birds nearby.

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

Love in the Reeds: A Pair of Wood Ducks Gets Cozy Jigsaw Puzzle

Add a touch of nature to treasured memories and moments with this food-themed binder! 

Yes, Virginia, yellow tomatoes do exist, blemishes and all ... and they have green freckles, too, if you look closely. Some of the delicious bounty to grace our lunch and dinner plates this summer. I have never seen non-red tomatoes as big as beefsteak tomatoes before.

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

Profile of a Black-Capped Chickadee

Profile of a Black-Capped Chickadee

More from Walks with Nature

Other personalized gifts from various stores