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The humble but prolific anise hyssop (hummingbird mint) is the flower of choice for hummingbirds, and the ease with which these small fragrant pink (or red or orange) flowers grow makes them popular with honeybees, bumblebees, and many other insects too. Taken earlier in the summer of 2016, when an abundance of visiting Rufous hummingbirds meant more feeding opportunities for these little red birds (and more contenders for the resident Anna's hummingbirds meant more opportunities to photograph the feisty  little migrants and challengers).

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

Rufous Hummingbird Drinking Anise Hyssop Nectar Postcard

My first encounter with this large and beautiful Central and South American native. Although never having met one before, somehow I knew that the bright yellow eyes, white eyebrows, and black patches around the eyes could only belong to the Spectacled Owl.

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

Mesmerizing Golden Eyes of a Spectacled Owl Postcard

Maybe it's just me, but whenever I see a male White-Winged Scoter, the resemblance between this black seaduck and one of main nemeses of a certain popular comic book hero is immediate and unmistakable. The white Viking horn patches surrounding those pale eyes seem to connote something sinister. :) Much smaller flocks of this less (nasally) flamboyant (and more paparazzi shy) cousin of the Surf Scoter could be seen plying the waters of the White Rock Pier on a chilly but sunny morning in early November 2019.

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

Stunning White-Winged Scoter Duck at Pier's Edge Postcard

That the Surf Scoters of White Rock Pier are habituated to the presence of humans is a bit of an understatement. This handsome and tame drake was one of hundreds of these large black seaducks who routinely passed under the boardwalk during a crisp but sunny morning visit in early November 2019, giving great bird's eye views of that colorful and comically oversized schnoz that the ladies of his kind have found so fascinating for so long.

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

Stunning Surf Scoter Duck at Pier's Edge Postcard

Like rodgersia, California Buckeye is a big draw for butterflies. I had no shortage of opportunities to capture Swallowtail Butterflies working these tiny flowers for their nectar. Photographed in mid-June 2016.

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

Swallowtail Butterfly on Buckeye Flower Postcard

My second (and closest) encounter with the magnificent cheetah on a hot afternoon in September 2014 at the local zoo. This big cat was pacing restlessly around in his cage, but he did stop once, and our eyes locked through the chain link during this moment. There is something so visceral about making a connection with wildlife.  

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

Magnificent Cheetah Big Wild Cat Postcard

Perched on a fallen log (and living up to his name) is this colourful drake, one of several Wood Duck “fixtures” at Piper Spit. Burnaby Lake is home to the largest concentrations of Wood Ducks–hands down, the most colourful waterfowl you’ll find in Metro Vancouver, Canada.

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

Beautiful Pensive Wood Duck in the Marsh Postcard

I was privy to a very special moment in late May 2016 when I saw this Greater Sandhill Crane father, a veteran parent, searching for wood bugs with his 3-day-old colt. It's hard to believe that such a small creature could grow up into one of the largest bird species found in Metro Vancouver!

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

Greater Sandhill Crane Father and Child Postcard

Add a touch of nature to any room with this wildlife-themed clock! Customize with or without numbers, and choose from round or square designs. Perfect for bird lovers!

Rufous Hummingbirds have usually left Metro Vancouver for Mexico by mid August, so it was a delight to see and photograph this exceedingly feisty straggler in the backyard. This little scrapper has been (successfully, for the past two days) giving grief to the juvenile male Anna's hummingbird who has owned the backyard for most of the summer (as well as the other feathered friends who visit), vigorously defending every flower and feeder in sight. This hybrid fruit tree branch has become its favorite perch, and gave me quite a few photographic opportunities. Photographed on September 4, 2016.

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

Stunning Rufous Hummingbird on Fruit Tree Clock

This stunning wildlife design features a Spotted Towhee posing on a snow powdered branch in the backyard.

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

Stunning Spotted Towhee Songbird on Snowy Branch Adult Cloth Face Mask

Cute Kinglet Songbird Causes a Stir in the Fir Metal Ornament

Cute Kinglet Songbird Causes Stir in the Fir Magnet

Cute Little Kinglet Causes a Stir in the Fir Magnet

Cute Kinglet Songbird Causes Stir in the Fir Keychain

Cute Kinglet Songbird Causes Stir in the Fir Trivet

Cute Little Kinglet Causes a Stir in the Fir Mug

Add a touch of nature to the kitchen or dining room with this whimsical, wildlife-themed sandstone coaster. 

During my second visit to Surrey's Elgin Heritage Park, my wish to see a Golden-Crowned Kinglet again was granted with the appearance of one of several accomplished singers in a giant fir tree. A diminutive but high-energy and multi-tasking bundle of energy--being able to sing, and flit from branch to branch while hunting for insects--the Golden-Crowned Kinglet nevertheless proved to be a challenging subject to capture. 

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

WWN Golden-Crowned Kinglet Causes a Stir in the Fir (II)

Beautiful Buff-Breasted Sandpiper at the Beach Postcard

Profile of a Buff-Breasted Sandpiper at the Beach Canvas Print

Profile of a Buff-Breasted Sandpiper at the Beach

Profile of a Buff-Breasted Sandpiper at the Beach Tote Bag

Profile of a Buff-Breasted Sandpiper at the Beach Classic Round Sticker

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

WWN Buff-Breasted Sandpiper at Low Tide

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

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 on the Rocks Jigsaw Puzzle

Nothing says "you complete me" or "your better/other half" than these whimsical, wildlife-themed lovers' mugs. Eclectus Parrots are an instant hit, wherever you see them. While the males are (understandably, and expectedly), brightly coloured, with green plumage and candy-corn yellow beak, the females are just as colourful, with their striking red and cobalt blue feathers.

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

Eclectus Parrots Coffee Mug Set

A Pair of Wading Greater Sandhill Cranes

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

Rufous Hummingbird Drinking Anise Hyssop Nectar Postcard

Rufous Hummingbird Drinking Anise Hyssop Nectar Postcard

More from Walks with Nature

Other postcards from various stores