An "urban" Rough-Legged Hawk perches precariously on the top of a spindly young tree in Tsawwassen, British Columbia, Canada. As I have seen this raptor several times near the local shopping mall, I can only assume that this is its territory--before and after development. Photographed on a late afternoon in mid-January 2018.

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

Rough-Legged Hawk in the Tree Magnet

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 on a Beach Log Magnet

A couple of Hooded Merganser drakes put in a surprise appearance in one of our newer local ponds. These two are hoping to impress the two hens in their small flock with their frog-like (croaking) repertoire.

Singers in the Making: Hooded Mergansers Magnet

Looking deceptively like a baby duck, this full grown Bufflehead hen struck the perfect pose for me at one of the inner ponds at the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary. Curious "sentries" like this one will often detach themselves from the flock to satisfy their curiosity about those lenses pointed in their direction. I really doubt it's for the birdseed, unless we have discovered one with a sudden taste for them. :)  There was just enough afternoon sunlight left to reflect the blue skies in the waters, paint a catchlight in this Bufflehead's eyes, and cast a soft glow on her face.  With fall giving way to winter in just another week, we are seeing more and more of these tiny diving seaducks -- but always in small groups that tend to stay in waters far, far from human view. Though not skittish like Hooded Mergansers tend to be, I have yet to see a single Bufflehead set a webbed toe on land.

Cute Bufflehead Duck on Sunlit Waters Magnet

A wonderful discovery in Elgin Heritage Park, dressed in burnt orange and black: one of two adult male Black-Headed Grosbeaks foraging in the trees at the start of the trail (with a male Downy Woodpecker for company). This fellow was so curious about me that he came down to a different tree and a lower branch to check out the photographer. Photographed in mid-May 2017.

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

Beautiful Black-Headed Grosbeak in a 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

Profile of a Buff-Breasted Sandpiper at the Beach Magnet

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

Curious American Robin Songbird in the Grass Magnet

Seeing a Downy Woodpecker (usually the female) on the backyard suet feeder isn't unusual. Seeing this male (busy whittling wood here) and his female (unseen, but preening herself nearby) on the pear tree just when we got a spot of sunshine over the Great Backyard Bird Count 2017 (Feb 17-20) weekend, was!

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

Cute Downy Woodpecker on Fruit Tree Magnet

With the deep blue of the water in the background, I could not have asked for better light or a better pose with this shot (I did hope to be a little closer to my subject, though!) Three of these very active and adorable buntings were hopping up and down the shoreline at the Tsawwassen Ferry Jetty on a sunny but very breezy evening! Lapland Longspurs are delightful little songbirds that winter in Metro Vancouver but spend their summers in the high Arctic. Photographed on October 17, 2016.

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

Lapland Longspur on a Sunlit Log Classic Round Sticker

Ella the Pomeranian was so happy to be the focus of attention that she forgot (for once) to run to the photographer, and instead cracked a smile for me. Photographed in late June 2018.

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

Cute Laughing Pomeranian Dog Ceramic Knob

Add a little character to the office -- or office party -- with this wildlife-themed tie.  This male Downy Woodpecker announced himself quite vocally with a trademark chip-chip-chip repertoire just before making an appearance on this dead tree. He proceeded to peck away at his perch, oblivious of the solitary camera lens trained on him and the many walkers on the trail.

Cute Downy Woodpecker on the Tree Tie

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.

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 Ceramic Tile

Add a touch of nature and whimsy to your fitness regime with this wildlife-themed hydration bottle!

In my opinion, the male Bullock's Oriole is the most gorgeous of the blackbirds we have the opportunity of encountering on the West Coast. He sports cheery bright orange and yellow feathers that contrast with his black and white ones. This handsome fellow was, rather strangely, out in the open, perched on a pear tree in a farm, rather than being high up in the canopy of a forest as is usually the case with these blackbirds. Photographed on a sunny and warm afternoon in late May 2017.

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

Beautiful Bullock's Oriole the Pear Tree Stainless Steel Water Bottle

Add a touch of nature to your wardrobe with this floral-themed shirt!

The enticing combination of purple/blue petals and yellow centers drew me to my first michaelmas daisies, which bloom from July through to October--adding wonderful splashes of color to the garden when many of the vivid hues of summer have already wound down. Photographed on September 18, 2016.

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

Beautiful Purple Michaelmas Daisies T-Shirt

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

Rough-Legged Hawk in the Tree Magnet

Rough-Legged Hawk in the Tree Magnet

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