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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

Hanging with my peeps! Despite the 60-80 Sanderlings probing the shoreline, getting a group photo of this high-energy flock (which was soon joined by another flock of 30-40 Sanderlings) in action was a bit difficult (imagine kindergarten-aged children running amok all over the place); shots of bills submerged in water as well as feathered butts pointed in my direction were the norm.

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

Funny Cute 4 Sanderlings Sandpipers at the Beach Magnet

I witnessed a beautiful moment of friendship between these two gorgeous chestnut horses. Were they mother and child; siblings; or simply stablemates? It didn't matter what their relationship to each other was. The importance was the now of the moment. Not even a nicker did I hear pass between them; the simple act of touching spoke volumes for both.

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

Two Beautiful Chestnut Horses in the Sun Magnet

My first day with the 100mm macro lens. I am thankful when I see dozens of honeybees, bumblebees, and other tiny winged pollinators on the huge California Lilac when it's in full bloom with hundreds of bluish-purple clusters on the front lawn.  

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

Beautiful Honeybee on the California Lilac 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

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 Magnet

Brown Creepers are common all-year-round residents in Metro Vancouver, but it's easy to miss seeing these masters of disguise in the forest. This is the closest I have come to photographing this extremely well-camouflaged bird, and seeing the meal in its bill was a nice added bonus.

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

American Treecreeper with Bug Magnet

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 Magnet

Add a touch of whimsy and nature to the kitchen with this wildlife-themed kitchen towel!

The search for the male Mountain Bluebird at the North Jetty of Iona Island proved futile, but this blue bird -- perched on a twig near the chain link fence along Ferguson Road by the inner ponds -- didn't disappoint. 

The Tree Swallows have indeed returned to Iona Island, but we saw far fewer now than in March 2015 at this same point in time -- and the females had already shown up, too. I observed maybe 20 in flight and just a few perched like this fellow, and not a female in sight.

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

Profile of a Male Tree Swallow in the Sun Towel

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

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, hearing this elusive gamebird vocalize and seeing him displaying those impressive bright red wattles really 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

Profile of a Ring-Necked Pheasant Stainless Steel Water Bottle

Keep notes, reminders, and more in this floral-themed journal. 

Mid-summer is the time of the season for lilies, and these delightfully pink Oriental lilies amazed me with their large size, abundance, and delicate beauty. Photographed in early August 2017 at a private garden.

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

Elegant Pink Oriental Lilies Notebook

Looking to score a birdie for your round of golf? You're guaranteed one--in a manner of speaking--with this wildlife-themed putter head cover, which features a displaying male Ring-Necked Pheasant!

Strike up the band! 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

Profile of a Ring-Necked Pheasant Golf Head Cover

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

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 Jigsaw Puzzle

Now that most of the Dark-Eyed Juncos have left for the mountains, the two Sooty Fox Sparrows who have been here since last fall are more likely to show up at the seed bowls and make everyone else take a number! These large songbirds are not usually willing to pose for the camera, but the green growing season appears to have made them a lot more approachable. Photographed in early April 2017.

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

Beautiful Fox Sparrow Songbird in Grass Postcard

Add a touch of nature to lunch time with this colorful, wildlife-themed lunch box! 

This male Eclectus Parrot has rockstar tendencies, and tends to be loud and given to overacting when he wants your attention. A colourful personality with equally colourful "fowl" language.

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

Singers in the Making: Hooded Mergansers Magnet

Singers in the Making: Hooded Mergansers Magnet

More from Walks with Nature

Other magnets from various stores