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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 Feeding on the Anise Hyssop

The second summertime flowering of our gladiolus ... this mid-August blooming produced even more striking sword lilies, with more splashes of white to contrast against the bright red hues for a candy cane like effect. Truly a Christmas moment in August!

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

Stunning Red & White Gladiolus Sword Lilies

As Buffleheads don't congregate in large flocks (4 is generally the maximum) but do keep their distance from humans and potential predators (with the exception of the odd sentry, who investigates all comings and goings of creatures other than itself), it was a pleasant surprise to see both conventions broken in early December 2016, when we spotted a flock of 30 at one of the local ponds, swimming very close to the edge of the pond -- and even anticipating handouts of birdseed! Clearly, these seaducks have become accustomized to the presence of creatures like us!
 
Based on the original photography of W.H. Sim. All Rights Reserved. See more at zazzle.com/walkswithnature

Getting My Ducks in a Row: Four Buffleheads

By far, Columbian Ground Squirrels are the most entertaining wildlife at Manning Park, and the first ones to greet us in the parking lot of Manning Park Resort. These Prairie Dogs of the West were positioned near their network of holes in the ground (or in rotted tree stumps) and often calling in an upright position like meerkats or groundhogs (when they weren't chasing each other around or kissing). We found plenty at Manning Park Resort and Lightning Lake (particularly near the picnic tables). Columbian Ground Squirrels spend the short summer bulking up on fat reserves for their hibernation period, which lasts for seven months!

A Twitchy-Nosed Columbian Ground Squirrel

This little lady prefers blueberry blossom nectar over sugar water, giving this potted bush a thorough going over on a sunny spring afternoon and myself the opportunity to photograph a Rufous Hummingbird, nearly vertical with the tiny, bell-shaped white flowers she sips from. The backyard is just starting to come alive with birds after being relatively quiet for the past five weeks. Photographed in mid-May 2017.

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

Rufous Hummingbird Sips Blueberry Blossom Nectar

Dreamy Snowy Owls Christmas Family Have a Hoot

Funny Owl We Want for Christmas Snowy Owls Family

Owl you'll want is right here! Wildlife and the magic of the holiday season go hand in hand, and the no bird wears winter better or is more strongly associated with the season of cold than the charismatic Snowy Owl. The largest owls in North America only show up in Metro Vancouver every few years, and their appearance during our winters causes crowds of admirers and fans to form and flock. 

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

WWN Family of Smiling Snowy Owls

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

This is the first time I've been to Stanley Park in the autumn. On this chilly day, the waters were swimming with so much waterfowl, including American Wigeons, Black Oystercatchers, Surf Scoters, Hooded Mergansers, Common Mergansers, Harlequin Ducks, Double-Crested Cormorants, the odd Pied-Billed Grebe, and hundreds of Barrow's Goldeneyes. What surprised me was how comfortable (and perhaps, even curious) some of these seabirds were with the various human users (bikers, hikers, dogwalkers), of the Stanley Park Seawall. This is the closest I've gotten to one particularly curious Barrow's Goldeneye.

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

Profile of a Barrow's Goldeneye

Did I say something funny? Meet Teddy. Looking like he's tossing me a big smile and a sly wink, this friendly Pommie of the Lawn is a real character. Fur that hasn't quite grown back the right way, and the lack of an eye hasn't stopped this energetic little guy from pursuing life to the fullest. 

He's no attention hound; show up at his place, and he'll give you an effusive 30-second greeting punctuated by happy barks and tailwags--as if he's seen you for the very first time--and in less than a minute, he'll settle down to his favorite bone, completely oblivious to your presence.

With his prodigious winter fur, I am leaning towards one of two theories: that this Pomeranian may be part Chow Chow or part lion.

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

Winking Chuckling Funny Dog Keychain

Spotted Towhee Sparrow in Autumn Leaf Litter Mouse Pad

Profile of a Spotted Towhee Round Pillow

I'd hardly call a Spotted Towhee a cute little bird. The red eyes on this large sparrow are mesmerizing and can best be described as eerie; and the black, white, reddish-brown plumage it wears all year round are "power colours". Photographed at Stanley Park's Lost Lagoon on a chilly afternoon in late November 2015.

This photo was selected by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, to be featured in its "Backyard Birds and Blossoms" Coloring Book (release date Spring 2017). 

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

WWN Spotted Towhee in the Autumn Leaf Litter

Adorable Rufous Hummingbird on Branch

Adorable Rufous Hummingbird on Branch Photo Print

Adorable Rufous Hummingbird on Branch 3 Ring Binder

Adorable Rufous Hummingbird on Branch Hip Flask

Adorable Rufous Hummingbird on Branch Mini Binder

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

WWN Rufous Hummingbird on the Hybrid Fruit Tree

Add a touch of nature to every room in your home with this wildlife-themed switchplate cover! The perfect choice for bird lovers!

This male Pekin Robin decided to satisfy his curiosity of the approaching humans, and flew into a large tropical tree to observe us from under the large leafy cover. Our initial encounter was all too brief and disappointing, but this second meeting yielded the opportunity to study this wonderfully dressed and beautiful singer in much greater detail and length. Our subject must have noticed this, as he was unusually still and not hopping from branch to branch!

An Indian subcontinent native, this Old World babbler is so popular that many other countries want to claim it for their own, and so, it goes by other aliases, including Pekin Robin, Pekin nightingale, Japanese hill robin, and Japanese nightingale. 

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

Colorful Leiothrix / Pekin Robin Songbird Light Switch Cover

Add color and a touch of nature to your walls with this floral-themed wall art hanging!

Though they last but a few short months, these annuals dazzle with an eclectic display of vivid colors, shapes, and sizes.

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

A Colorful Pastiche of Summer Annual Flowers Acrylic Print

You'd never guess, from her playful and youthful manner, that Stella is actually 10 to 12 years older than she looks! This indoor sweetie is as likely to cuddle up to the laps of strangers as she is to those of her regular pair of humans, but she knows how to puts her paw down as far as dogs (especially big dogs) are concerned.

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

Profile of Stella the Gray Cat Keychain

Add a touch of nature to the living room with this floral-themed lampshade cover.  This particular cultivar of alstroemeria, or Peruvian lily, grows tall and looks great as flower bed plants. They are hardy, breathtaking perennials that bloom from late spring through early summer.

Rufous Hummingbird Feeding on the Anise Hyssop

Rufous Hummingbird Feeding on the Anise Hyssop

More from Walks with Nature

Other cards from various stores