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With a warm winter and early spring in Metro Vancouver, many flowers and fruits were ripening well ahead of schedule -- including these mountain ash (rowan) berries, which aren't normally "ready" for the birds to eat until August. These berries are red, but other varieties also appear as bright orange. Photographed at the UBC Botanical Gardens in July 2016.

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

Red Mountain Ash Rowan Berries Postcard

Beautiful Sooty Grouse Gamebird in Grass Postcard

My first (and closest) encounter with a Sooty Grouse at Burnaby Mountain. This handsome fellow was hardly shy around the photographers, but kept largely to the base of the trees and the shadows. When the other photographers had left,  he came out for a little one-on-one time, "treating" me to dances around the remaining photographer and softly modulated hoots -- even following me partway down to the playground!

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

WWN Sooty Grouse in the Grass

Such a pretty pest! I spotted this bright orange beetle on the yet-to-flower Lady's Mantle. Two more of its cohorts were also hanging around in the same vicinity. Hope they leave the asparagus plants alone! :)

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

Spotted Asparagus Beetle on Lady's Mantle Postcard

Being an escapee from an Oregon farm did not diminish the appeal of this adult male Mandarin Duck, whose flight to freedom was rewarded with a constant supply of bird seed and the company of Wood Ducks at Piper Spit. I was gifted with the privilege of his metamorphosis over many agonizingly slow months, as I watched him exchange his post-breeding plumage for the magnificent feathers and stunning color palette that make him a dream to photograph (and a hit with the females of his kind). Mother Nature left nothing to the artist's imagination when she made this creature! Photographed at Burnaby Lake in mid-October 2018.

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

Beautiful Mandarin Duck in the Pond Postcard

A long hard winter has delayed many early spring flowers in Metro Vancouver, but seeing these dew-kissed orange pastel tulips in the early morning uplifts the spirits, even on an overcast day. Photographed in the spring of 2017 at a local public garden.

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

Beautiful Dew-Kissed Pastel Orange Tulips Postcard

They're back! On a surprisingly cold and rainy morning, two flocks of Bushtits (10 in each) flew in for brunch on the flowering carrot, butterfly bush, and California Lilac bush. Some took baths on the wet leaves, and these five guys were huddled on the plum tree for warmth. It was tricky trying to get the catchlight in everyone's eyes (and all of them facing the camera (more or less))--but without a doubt, these little birds are naturally and undeniably photogenic. Photographed in early July 2016 and featured on the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's allaboutbirds.org website.

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

Heartwarming Cute Bushtits Songbirds Family Photo Postcard

The smallest shorebirds (and sandpipers) to visit North American shores during the summer, Least Sandpipers can be seen feeding in small flocks on the mudflats of local wildlife areas. The yellowish green legs (when not covered in mud) of these sparrow-sized "peeps" make it easy to ID them and separate them from their similarly-sized cousins, the Western Sandpipers and Semipalmated Sandpipers, with whom they have been known to associate with in mixed flocks. Photographed on an early morning in August 2016 at Boundary Bay Regional Park, British Columbia.

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

Least Sandpiper Shorebird on Mudflats Postcard

Pyracantha coccinea or scarlet firethorn berries are popular with our yardbirds in the fall and winter, and the spiky branches give both perch and protection to our diners. Mass profusions of these tiny plump orange fruit attract American Robins, Golden-Crowned Sparrows, House Sparrows, and Black-Capped Chickadees -- a daily crowd that can depletes this great bounty within a few weeks. Photographed on October 9, 2016.

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

Pyracantha Coccinea Scarlet Firethorn Berries Postcard

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 Photo Print

This was a Christmas Day filled with plenty of birds in the backyard -- including this rather introspective Black-Capped Chickadee looking skyward on the pear tree. Sunny skies and chilly temps made my puffed up and sleepy feathered friends reluctant to stir from their perches, and that led to a few opportunities for closeups of birds I normally find difficult to get stills of.

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

A Black-Capped Chickadee on the Pear Tree Keychain

Add a touch of nature and whimsy to your walls with this wildlife-themed decal! Perfect for bird lovers!

Being small and drab-colored doesn't stop the diminutive Bushtit from drawing attention to itself with its twittering and high energy antics. This fellow caught my attention at Centennial Beach, after a (more or less) fruitless day of birding. Heard long before they are seen, these highly active songbirds often flock together in large groups, calling to each other often while they search for food.

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

Profile of a Bushtit Wall Decal

Stunning Wood Duck in the Pond Ornament

Stunning Wood Duck in the Pond Metal Ornament

Add a touch of nature and elegance to the home with this wildlife-themed design. 

One of many Wood Ducks to call Reifel Bird Sanctuary home, especially during the fall/winter/spring seasons in the Pacific Northwest.

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

WWN Stunning Wood Duck in the Pond

Use these wildlife-themed tiles to protect delicate surfaces, tables, and countertops from hot pots, or as accent pieces for the dining room or kitchen.

The start of the growing season means the return of the diminutive but feisty Rufous Hummingbirds to Metro Vancouver. From March through August, their presence means increased competition for nectar feeders and flowers for the resident Anna's hummingbirds. This fellow was one of five Rufouses to visit the Richmond Nature Park regularly on an early spring day. We witnessed extremely vocal and physical territorial disputes (which were, rather comically, inversely proportional to the size of the combatants). Photographed on April 4, 2016.

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

Stunning Rufous Hummingbird in the Sun Ceramic Tile

Add a touch of nature and elegance to every room in your home with this floral-themed switchplate cover! Sometimes a mistake can be the path to a new technique. This Crested Iris was actually photographed outdoors under natural daylight after I forgot to reset shutter speed and aperture settings from the previous photo.

Elegant Floral Crested Shaga Japanese Iris Light Switch Cover

Add a touch of nature to your dining experience with this wildlife-themed placemat. 

A tiny Sanderling looks for a fine seafood dining experience on the shores of Boundary Bay Regional Park in mid-February 2017.

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

Red Mountain Ash Rowan Berries Postcard

Red Mountain Ash Rowan Berries Postcard

More from Walks with Nature

Other postcards from various stores