Sanderlings are tiny -- and surprisingly, quite approachable -- migratory shorebirds which can be easily found on Vancouver beaches in the coldest winter months. This one was strolling quite leisurely on the shoreline. Photographed on a very sunny and busy winter afternoon at Boundary Bay Regional Park.

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

Sanderling Wades Through Wintry Waters

As with many yellow summer birds on my watch list, I have been pursuing this beautiful warbler and prolific singer for quite some time. Two years ago, I heard his trademark witchety-witchety-witchety birdsong and have since gotten few and frequently shaded glimpses of his rakish black mask and bright yellow breast through local shrubs and bushes. This is the closest I have come to photographing him out in the open.

Beautiful Common Yellowthroat Warbler Songbird

Being an escapee from an Oregon farm did not diminish the appeal of this adult male Mandarin Duck, whose flight to freedom was rewarded with a constant supply of bird seed and the company of Wood Ducks at Piper Spit. I was gifted with the privilege of his metamorphosis over many agonizingly slow months, as I watched him exchange his post-breeding plumage for the magnificent feathers and stunning color palette that make him a dream to photograph (and a hit with the females of his kind). Mother Nature left nothing to the artist's imagination when she made this creature! Photographed at Burnaby Lake in mid-October 2018.

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

Beautiful Mandarin Duck in the Pond

They're not juniper berries, but this bird--which is rarely seen here in the Metro Vancouver area--clearly isn't finicky when it comes to winter fruits. This Townsend's Solitaire (another bird for my life list) materialized on our front lawn pyracantha bush on December 9, 2015, but it required two more visits more a week later to finally get proof of this handsome thrush.

Townsend's Solitaire on the Pyracantha

Easily recognizable from far away by their enormous bills, Northern Shovelers, although generally not skittish around humans, do keep themselves at a fair distance from spotting scopes and cameras, and frequent nearby bodies of water or sandbars. This fellow, on the other hand, was just inches from me, feeding just inches from the shore at the local wildlife habitat for quite a few moments before moving on.

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

Closeup of a Handsome Northern Shoveler Duck

I was surprised to learn that Black-Headed Grosbeaks will fly to the ground to eat seed; my previous encounters with these strikingly-colored finches was strictly up (way up!) in the trees. This handsome fellow showed no restraints about catching some sun on the boardwalk, either, and unwittingly gave me several closeups of himself in the process. Photographed at Campbell Valley Regional Park on July 2, 2016.

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

Closeup of a Handsome Black-Headed Grosbeak

The perfect greeting cards for bird lovers!  There's lots to be admired when you're a Hooded Merganser. Crests are your specialty, whether you're the male or the female. The ladies have lovely cinnamon crests, and the gentlemen inflatable black-and-white numbers complemented by a one-size-fits-all black tux for all seasons with a swath of reddish brown on their sides. This lady, however, doesn't seem to be all that impressed with the two males who are wooing her.
 
Based on the original photography of W.H. Sim. All Rights Reserved. See more at zazzle.com/walkswithnature

Hooded Mergansers: She's Not Impressed

In a cute moment highly reminiscent of another bushtit family gathering from 2016, three young songbird fledglings roost together in the sun-dappled shade of the pear tree, while parents and helpers (older siblings) pick grubs from the leaves nearby, while keeping up a steady stream of conversation. My young subjects were only too willing to oblige for my lens. Photographed in late May 2020.

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

Cute Baby Bushtit Songbirds in the Pear Tree Card

Add a touch of nature to festive year-end celebrations with this whimsical, wildlife-themed Christmas stocking. Personalize with a name. Reverse (for double-sided option) shows identical design. Great for the bird or nature lover on your gift list!

Blue Jays may be one of North America's most iconic bird species, but they are rarely found on the West Coast. However, this one has discovered that Ladner Harbor Park in beautiful British Columbia is a great place to hang out and avoid the nasty snowfalls of the east. S/he's been "resident" in this forest since early November 2020 and grants an audience to whomever is willing to shell out a handout of peanuts first. Photographed in late March 2021. 

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

Cute Blue Jay Songbird on Treestump Large Christmas Stocking

Dazzle your opponent with this adorable, wildlife-themed pickleball paddle!

There's nothing like a hopeful chickadee to make a beautiful autumn day even more memorable. Photographed in Elgin Park in South Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, in mid-November 2022.

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

Cute Black-Capped Chickadee on the Branch Pickleball Paddle

Use this wildlife-themed trivet to protect delicate surfaces, tables, and countertops from hot pots, or as an accent piece for the dining room or kitchen.

We encountered four of these large and beautiful butterflies on our evening walk through the local wildlife management area. Two of them seemed to engage briefly in an aerial dogfight before going their separate ways. Anise Swallowtails are almost always on the move, so to see this one resting was a rare experience.

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

Beautiful Anise Swallowtail Butterfly in the Grass Trivet

What you choose to build anticipation of a gift with is just as important as the gift itself. This gift bag, which features a cute little Black-Capped Chickadee in my backyard, is perfect for nature lovers.

One of several Black-Capped Chickadees patronizing the backyard feeders. I managed to catch this little one perched on the pear tree and catching a bit of afternoon sun, with the blush of autumn behind it (courtesy of the neighbor's giant red maple tree). Photographed in late October 2017.

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

Black-Capped Chickadee on Autumn Red Background Small Gift Bag

WWN Golden Pheasant Between the Leaves

WWN Profile of a Golden Pheasant

WWN Surprised Ring-Necked Pheasant in the Grass

WWN Sooty Grouse in the Grass

WWN Stunning Roul-Roul Crested Wood Partridge

With their dazzlingly plumage and flamboyant displays during courtship, pheasants, partridges, and grouses are some of the most inventive and original personalities in the bird world.

WWN Gamebirds

Add a touch of nature to your wheels with this customizable and whimsical, wildlife-themed bumper sticker! 

It's always nice to have the wildlife come to check us out, instead of the other way around. Looking like an overgrown cockatiel painted with green feathers and tri-coloured mascara, this elusive and exotic African native satisfied its curiosity of humans and gave us a rather unique viewing angle!

Design © W.H. Sim. See more at zazzle.com/walkswithnature

Funny Curious Guinea Turaco Green Bird Bumper Sticker

What you choose to build anticipation of a gift with is just as important as the gift itself. This gift bag, which features beautiful royal blue Cineraria flowers, is perfect for nature lovers, gardeners, those with a green thumb, or Mother's Day.

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

Sanderling Wades Through Wintry Waters

Sanderling Wades Through Wintry Waters

More from Walks with Nature

Other products from various stores