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This winter, we saw not one, but two Slate-Colored Juncos hang around the bird feeders in the backyard--keeping the 30 Oregon Dark-Eyed Juncos company. Photographed in late December 2017.

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

Slate-Colored Dark-Eyed Junco on the Pear Tree Postcard

If someone combined the adorably big head and black eyes of a Black-Capped Chickadee with the colours and bill of a Kookaburra in a Jay-sized body, they'd have the whimsically-named Whiskeyjack. Also known by its less colourful aliases of Canada Jay and Gray Jay, we saw no fewer than six of Canada's official national birds at Manning Park's Lightning Lake, where they would boldly descend on picnic tables in the hopes of free handouts.

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

Grey Jay Whiskeyjack Songbird in Evergreen Tree 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 unmistakeable. 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

My closest encounter with a magnificent male Pileated Woodpecker, who was busy carving out a hole in a very tall tree. Rather than be spooked by the presence of a photographer nearby, this largest of North American woodpeckers would stop briefly to see who was rustling the dead leaves on the forest floor, and then resume his woodworking activities. Photographed on Galiano Island in the early evening of July 3, 2017.

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

Beautiful Pileated Woodpecker on the Tree Postcard

I missed seeing one of these tiny plovers in the summer, but my subject, in its non-breeding plumage, is no less beautiful for it! A rare sight for this time of the year (usually these dainty-looking shorebirds are already wintering along the coasts of the Southwestern U.S., Central America, and South America), this Semipalmated Plover was frequenting the shores of Boundary Bay at Centennial Beach during high tide, in (almost) mid-December, along with a flock of Dunlins and Sanderlings on a surprisingly sunny (and warm-for-almost-winter) day.

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

Beautiful Semipalmated Plover at Beach 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 and hen pair 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

Surf Scoter Paired Ducks at Pier's Edge Postcard

Marigolds aren't just eye candy; they've been used for culinary (teas, salads) and medicinal (anti-inflammatory) purposes for hundreds of years in European cultures. These beautiful, aromatic and showy blooms bloom all summer long into fall and even until the first frost. They are a natural mosquito repellent, and may also keep flower munchers like deer from the pride and joy in your garden. Photographed in mid June and mid July 2016 at local public and private gardens.

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

A Medley of Red Yellow and Orange Marigolds Postcard

Mid-summer is the time of the season for lilies, and these delightfully fragrant white Casablanca 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 Casablanca White Oriental Lilies Postcard

Add a touch of nature to your attire with this wildlife design, which features a snowy owl, feathered softly to disappear into a [white] background. 

Owls are such fascinating creatures. They are front page newsmakers, drawing the interest of birders, nature lovers, and just about everyone else who has a pulse. Snowy Owls are especially charismatic; 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.

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

Beautiful, Dreamy and Serene Snowy Owl Bandana

Stunning Winter Ducks in Flight Large Christmas Stocking

Colorful Exotic Tropical Birds Parrots Coaster Set

Flock of Dunlins and Sanderlings at the Beach Bath Mat

Beautiful Harlequin and Mandarin Ducks Cornhole Set

A Stunning Quartet of Colorful Ducks (III) Coaster Set

Flock of Dunlins and Sanderlings at the Beach Doormat

Birds of different feathers sometimes flock together!

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

WWN In Mixed Company

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

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.

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

Townsend's Solitaire Songbird on the Pyracantha Jigsaw Puzzle

Add a touch of nature and whimsy to your coffee, tea, or favourite hot drink with this wildlife-themed mug! 

A number of small, green, duckweed-covered frogs were seen frequenting a pond just outside of the Minnekhada Lodge, but this cute little fellow took the cake with his unflappable "pose on a hose." Photographed in mid-August 2016.

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

Cute Green Frog Strikes a Pose on the Hose Mug

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

This design features a yin-yang styled pair of Japanese painted ferns, isolated on black, and digitally rendered in fiery orange and electric blue hues. With a leaf shape evocative of both feathers and flames, this most ancient of plants boasts a simple but dazzling and unique artistry.

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

Electric Blue Fiery Orange Japanese Painted Ferns Jigsaw Puzzle

Add a touch of nature to your correspondence with these whimsical, wildlife-inspired address labels!

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

Cute Black-Capped Chickadee with Red Autumn Leaves Label

Stunning Bald Eagle Takes to the Sky Tie

Breathtaking Bald Eagle in Flight Leggings

A Bald Eagle Takes to the Sky Serving Tray

A Bald Eagle Takes to the Sky Watch

Breathtaking Bald Eagle in Flight Post-it Notes

Stunning Bald Eagle Bird of Prey in Flight Glass Coaster

Add a touch of nature to the home or office with this wildlife-themed wall hanging, which features the inspirational quote "may dreams give you wings to soar new skies." 

The rapture of a raptor in flight! I wanted to have a closeup of this Bald Eagle roosting at the top a dead birch tree ... but it decided, at 30 feet away, that it was time to go. The initial downstroke of its wings was the most dramatic part of its takeoff.

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

Slate-Colored Dark-Eyed Junco on the Pear Tree Postcard

Slate-Colored Dark-Eyed Junco on the Pear Tree Postcard

More from Walks with Nature

Other postcards from various stores