Personalized Gifts

About 4 of the 10 Horned Grebes we spotted at Blackie Spit were swimming and diving uncharacteristically close to the main walking path of Crescent Beach -- close for Horned Grebes, that is (about 20-30 feet away). The fishing was obviously quite good near shore. My closest encounter with these birds. They are exhibiting neither the flamboyant yellow horns nor red-and-black breeding plumage during this season, but those red eyes and dapper tux are nonetheless mesmerizing!

Profile of a Horned Grebe

This is the second hummingbird nest I've found. An Anna's hummingbird second-time mother (who had just raised two babies to adulthood a few days before successfully mating again) sits on her precious nest, lovingly and painstakingly made with lichen, moss, and spidersilk.

Stunning Anna's Hummingbird Mom on Nest

As with many yellow summer birds on my watch list, I have been pursuing this beautiful warbler and prolific singer for quite some time. Two years ago, I heard his trademark witchety-witchety-witchety birdsong and have since gotten few and frequently shaded glimpses of his rakish black mask and bright yellow breast through local shrubs and bushes. This is the closest I have come to photographing him out in the open.

Beautiful Common Yellowthroat Warbler Songbird

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

Feeling a little blue? A little blue, thanks to this accommodating male Mountain Bluebird, might actually do the trick and cheer you up! The perfect notecards for bird lovers! 

My second encounter with a male Mountain Bluebird. We are gifted, albeit very briefly, with the presence of these beautiful songbirds at the start of the spring season before they head to higher ground to breed. Those stunning cerulean colors stand out on a dreary landscape, even from a distance. When he wasn't busy diving for insects on the local beach, he was highpointing it on driftwood and stalks of dessicated tansy. Photographed at Boundary Bay Regional Park in early spring 2017.

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

Beautiful Mountain Bluebird

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

Really, some birds have no shame. Photographed pillaging the hummingbird nectar feeder was this Black-Capped Chickadee, who looks mildly startled -- a priceless expression -- but that didn't stop it and a fellow partner in crime from chugging the sweet stuff like a pair of gluttons (once, in tandem!) Based on the original photography of W.H. Sim. All Rights Reserved. See more at zazzle.com/walkswithnature

Black-Capped Chickadee Caught Red-Handed

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

Add a touch of nature to the bathroom during year-end holidays with this festive, floral-themed bath mat! 

Poinsettias are most often associated with Christmas, and, surrounded here by cream coloured Yellow Snow poinsettias, the speckled leaves of this particular variety -- known as Shimmer Surprise Poinsettia -- add an even more festive touch to year-end holidays as a popular centerpiece.

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

Festive Red White Floral Poinsettias Bathroom Mat

Keep notes, reminders, and more in this whimsical, wildlife-themed journal. The perfect choice for bird lovers! One of two Hooded Merganser drakes who was practising his courtship rituals (without benefit of a female audience). He must have been pretty surprised to see his maneuvers recorded!

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

A Surprised Hooded Merganser Notebook

Add a touch of nature and the colors of fall to the living room, bedroom, and even picnics and outdoor events with this elegant, floral-themed blanket, which features stunning red and gold autumn chrysanthemums.

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

Stunning Red Gold Autumn Chrysanthemum Flowers Throw Blanket

Use this elegant, floral-themed tile to protect delicate surfaces, tables, and countertops from hot pots, or as accent pieces for the dining room, kitchen, or anywhere else in the home!

These royal blue Cineraria flowers provide a dazzling (and welcome) burst of color for early spring gardens. Although these African natives and members of the daily family are self-seeding perennials, I call them "Goldilocks flowers", because they require a very specific amount of rain, sunshine, and temperature to thrive.

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

Beautiful Royal Blue Cineraria Flowers Ceramic Tile

Add a touch of nature and warmth to any room with this wildlife-themed candle. 

It's always a wonderful moment when our subjects seek us out instead of the other way around! A particularly bold American Robin approaches our picnic table to stare at us -- perhaps he was hoping that we had worms or berries with us?

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

A Curious and Hopeful American Robin Pillar Candle

Hermit Thrush Songbird on the Scarlet Firethorn Cornhole Set

Hermit Thrush Songbird on Scarlet Firethorn Tote Bag

Hermit Thrush Songbird on the Scarlet Firethorn Throw Pillow

Hermit Thrush Songbird on Scarlet Firethorn Notebook

Hermit Thrush Songbird on Scarlet Firethorn Mini Binder

Stunning Hermit Thrush Songbird on Berry Bush Drawstring Bag

The first time I have seen the reclusive Hermit Thrush perfectly posed on the pyracantha coccinea (Scarlet Firethorn) in the front yard. The warm yellow you see in the backyard is the leaves of the neighbor's weeping alder (just a few days after this photograph was taken, those leaves all fell off).

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

WWN Hermit Thrush on the Scarlet Firethorn

Add a touch of nature to festive year-end celebrations with this stunning, wildlife-themed Christmas stocking. Personalize with a name. Reverse (for double-sided option) shows identical design. Great for the bird or nature lover on your gift list!

Normally quite reticent to get close to humans when mature, this almost adult Bald Eagle was the exception to the rule -- and more than content to showcase its regal beauty and not the least bit flustered as trail users walked and biked on the same path, not 10 feet away away from its perch on a dead tree. Photographed on a smoky evening (courtesy of forest fires in the BC interior) in mid-August 2018.

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

Profile of a Horned Grebe

Profile of a Horned Grebe

More from Walks with Nature

Other personalized gifts from various stores