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 Magnets

Also known by their other aliases of "Red Star" and "Rosy Posy" (my favourite), I found a bed of these small but hardy South African perennials flourishing in one of our local public gardens. Summer brings forth bright pink star-shaped flowers with their telltale hidden hearts -- low growing plants that make great ground cover.

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

Rhodohypoxis / Red Star / Rosy Posy Magnet

My introduction to the Satyr Comma / Anglewing. Apparently these little, bright orange butterflies are supposed to be skittish, but don't tell this beauty that ... it posed for several shots on a blade of marsh vegetation. Photographed on July 2, 2016 at Campbell Valley Regional Park.

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

Beautiful Orange Satyr Comma Butterfly Magnet

2017 seems to be the year of Wilson's Warblers, and our backyard has not been exempt from the presence of these small but cheery yellow warblers. The energetic black-capped males have been exploring every potted plant and fruit tree and singing their uplifting melodies. This handsome guy paused on the cherry tree just long enough for me to get him in all his golden goodness. Photographed in mid-May 2017.

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

Beautiful Wilson's Warbler in the Cherry Tree Magnet

Add a touch of nature to any room in your home with this wildlife-themed night light!

An unusual bird to see in Metro Vancouver during the fall migratory bird season, this Buff-Breasted Sandpiper was one of two I had the opportunity to photograph up close, and one of five spotted here in 2016. Like the Sanderling, the BBSA is exceedingly comfortable around humans. 

The BBSA is special for another reason: fewer than 80,000 individuals are estimated worldwide (per data from migration sites and its allaboutbirds.org/guide/Buff-breasted_Sandpiper/id profile; actual figures are difficult to obtain, as it does not always exhibit nest fidelity), making it a Near Threatened species. Its dainty, dove-like head, short bill, and buff coloration make it one of the easier peeps to identify. It is a transcontinental bird, flying northwards to breed in the arctic, and wintering in South America.

Rather comically, this one spent some time chasing the other one off. Apparently, it wanted the attention of the photographers all to itself! When it wasn't hogging the limelight, it made sure every lens was trained on it -- regardless of what it was doing -- foraging, resting on the grass, or grooming its feathers.  Photographed in late August 2016.

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

Beautiful Buff-Breasted Sandpiper at the Beach Magnet

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 Magnet

American Wigeons are a common sight in Metro Vancouver from fall through spring, but they disappear for the summer to cooler shores. With 40 more members of his flock, I spotted this handsome fellow wandering the local beach in the late winter of 2015--an odd sight, since they tend to be seen on water or land, but not sand!

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

An American Wigeon on the Beach Magnet

Having encountered Harlequin Ducks only at great distances before, seeing these two females up close sharing a quiet moment on a seaweed-covered rock at West Vancouver's Ambleside Beach gave me hope for future encounters with these small seaducks. Photographed in late August 2016.

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

A Pair of Harlequin Ducks on the Rocks Magnet

With a freshly caught vole clutched in its furry feet, a Short-Eared Owl surveys its hunting grounds for opportunistic Northern Harriers who would not hesitate to take advantage of the fruit of its hunting prowess. Sudden gusts of wind fluff this hunter's head feathers, revealing the short ear tufts for which this owl is named. Photographed on a late afternoon in late November 2017.

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

Short-Eared Owl with Vole Magnet

Beautiful Sooty Grouse Gamebird in the Grass Mug

Beautiful Sooty Grouse Gamebird in Grass Postcard

Funny A Little Grouse? Try Again. Bumper Sticker

Beautiful Sooty Grouse in the Grass Trivet

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

Add a touch of nature to the living room, bedroom, or any room in your home with this elegant, wildlife-themed throw! 

A presumed hobby farm escapee, this adult male Mandarin Duck has been seen in the company of the Wood Ducks of Piper Spit. He has called Burnaby Lake home since he was first spotted in 2018. His stunning pastiche of ruffs, dazzling color palette, and "fins" make him such a dreamboat to photograph. Mother Nature left nothing to the artist's imagination when she made this creature! Photographed at Burnaby Lake in early March 2020.

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

Beautiful Mandarin Duck at the Pond Lumbar Pillow

Beautiful Female Northern Harrier in the Marsh Tie

Beautiful Female Northern Harrier in the Marsh Notebook

Beautiful Northern Harrier Hawk in the Marshes Golf Head Cover

An unexpectedly close encounter with a female Northern Harrier--who is a stunning study in brown--while walking the paths of the local wildlife area in early Spring 2017. This beautiful, owl-faced bird of prey, so often seen soaring the skies, was hunkered down in the marshes -- probably waiting out her next meal, a duck who had gone to ground.

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

WWN Beautiful Northern Harrier in the Marsh

Add a touch of tasty to the dining experience with this elegant, food-themed glass coaster, which features a homegrown (and oddball) medley of striped, green, purple, and yellow tomatoes on a weathered grey picnic table, is great for improving muscle memory. Pictured tomato cultivars include Green Zebra, Red Zebra, Indigo Rose, Brandywine, Black Prince, Midnight Snack cherry, and heirloom cherry. 

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

Colorful Striped Tomatoes on Weathered Table Glass Coaster

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

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 Jigsaw Puzzle

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

This young Rufous hummingbird was taking a break from scrapping with a fellow hummingbird for ownership of the flowers in a vast public garden to enjoy a little moment of peace and quiet in the sun. Photographed in early June 2017.

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

Rufous Hummingbird at Rest Can Cooler

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

A late autumn afternoon stroll around the Stanley Park Lagoon resulted in a chance encounter with a bewhiskered river otter out of its natural element -- the second time I'd seen one (an entire family frolicking on the other side of the lagoon claimed the initial encounter) in the area on the same day! Apparently, the fishing must've been better on this side. Photographed in late November 2015.

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

Rhodohypoxis / Red Star / Rosy Posy Magnet

Rhodohypoxis / Red Star / Rosy Posy Magnet

More from Walks with Nature

Other magnets from various stores