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Isn't she lovely? This female Rufous hummingbird poses calmly for my camera on the old plum tree in the backyard. With the very early arrival (and disappearance) of the males in March and April as they migrate to as far north as Alaska, we have had a veritable dearth of yardbirds. Her continued presence means that life will become much more "interesting" for the resident Anna's (particularly the males). Not coincidentally, we are also seeing more birds in the backyard now.

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

Rufous Hummingbird on Plum Tree Postcard

My first encounter with a bold and friendly Ash-Throated Flycatcher, who was only too happy to crack a large and ebullient smile for my lens between hawking for grasshoppers on a sunny autumn afternoon. Photographed in mid-October 2020.

Based on the original photography of W.H. Sim. All Rights Reserved. See more at zazzle.com/walkswithnature

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Smiling Ash-Throated Flycatcher Songbird on Branch 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

My first encounter with the Marsh Wren, who was charming me with an enchanting and complex aria at the local wildlife refuge. These little birds are heard much, much more often than they are seen. Ever since then, 99% of the wrens I have seen are Marsh Wrens!!

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

Beautiful Marsh Wren Songbird in the Reeds Postcard

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 Postcard

With water beading off his inflatable crest, and a simultaneously striking and conservative palette of blacks, whites, and cinnamon brown, the adult male Hooded Merganser is one winter duck species that makes you stop and stare. They will swallow large fresh pond fish whole by stretching that normally hidden neck of theirs to a foot in length. This handsome, unperturbable gent was swimming in the ponds at the local wildlife sanctuary--not surprised to see so many humans moving in a like direction--in late December 2019.

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

Stunning Hooded Merganser Duck Swims By Postcard

Who ya calling a turkey? I spotted this handsome male Ring-Necked Pheasant foraging in the oddest of places ... not a marsh or wild woodland habitat, but the green well-maintained grass of a heritage air park! He did not seem concerned that a couple of camera lenses was trained on him, but, from time to time, would stand up on his legs, flap his wings, and give his best rooster impression, before returning to the task of foraging. On a rather birdless day, seeing this gamebird made my day. Photographed on Good Friday 2017.

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

Surprised Ring-Necked Pheasant in Grass Postcard

A brief detour from birding led to a chance encounter with two furry new friends at Ladner Harbor Park: a couple of adorable and oh so well behaved Papillon dogs, a very old Belgian/French breed of parti-color toy spaniels so named for their elegant, butterfly-like ears. Photographed in early October 2022.  

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

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Cute Papillon Toy Spaniel Dog at the Dock Postcard

Add a touch of nature to any room with this wildlife-themed wall hanging.  

A young sub-adult male Anna's hummingbird was taking five in the scarlet firethorn next to its pommes on an unseasonably prolonged cold snap. Unlike most other birds who frequent this bush in the fall and winter, he didn't seem to mind that I wrestled the window open (however softly I did it), and took a few shots of him next to the bunch of berries that's almost as big as he is. Photographed in mid-December 2016.

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

Anna's Hummingbird Poses with the Pyracantha Canvas Print

Say goodbye to boring and get noticed with these double-sided, wildlife-themed business cards! 

One of three Short-Eared Owls we saw hunting at Boundary Bay Wildlife Management Area on a winter afternoon. Not the first time I've seen a Shortie, but it is the closest I have come to photographing one. Ironically, it did fly within 15 feet of my camera, but my long lens had problems focusing on it at such close range!

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

Flight of the Short-Eared Owl Business Card

Add a touch of festive to year-end celebrations with this floral-themed Christmas stocking, which features a striking medley of red and cream poinsettias. Personalize with a name. Reverse shows identical design.

Poinsettias are most often associated with Christmas, and, the speckled leaves of this particular variety -- known as Shimmer Surprise Poinsettia -- add an even more festive touch to year-end holidays as a popular centerpiece.

Based on the original photography of W.H. Sim. All Rights Reserved. See more at zazzle.com/walkswithnature

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Festive Red White Floral Poinsettias Large Christmas Stocking

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

Sitting Pretty: Male Rufous Hummingbird Keychain

Add a touch of nature and whimsy to your laptop or computer with this whimsical group photo and wildlife-themed mousepad. 

The second time I've seen Dunlins since first spotting a small flock huddled together in their breeding plumage (with their trademark black belly patches on a cold spring day on the Iona Jetty in 2010). Indulging in a spot of feeding on the shoreline were three were part of a larger group of 10-12, who were fraternizing with a larger flock of Sanderlings (60) and a single out-of-season Semipalmated Plover (not pictured here). 

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

Cute Dunlins Sanderlings Sandpipers at Beach Mouse Pad

Add a touch of nature and warmth to any room with this floral-themed candle, which features the variegated forest green and white-veined leaves of the mosaic plant (aka nerve plant aka fittonia albivenis). Personalize with initial(s) and (sur)name.

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

Fittonia Mosaic Plant with Variegated Leaves Pillar Candle

Stunning American Avocets Birds on the Beach Socks

Stunning American Avocets Birds on the Beach Serving Tray

Stunning American Avocets Birds on the Beach Kitchen Towel

Stunning American Avocets Birds on the Beach Cutting Board

These elegant wading birds are rarely found in Canada's westernmost province, so to discover two adults spending a week there during the early stages of fall migration, enjoying the local amenities and completely at ease with the photographer in their midst, was a real treat. Photographed in early September 2022.

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

Rufous Hummingbird on Plum Tree Postcard

Rufous Hummingbird on Plum Tree Postcard

More from Walks with Nature

Other postcards from various stores