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Last year, I was fortunate enough to encounter the female Yellow-Headed Blackbird at Manning Park. This year, I saw not one of these rare visitors to Metro Vancouver, but three adult male Yellow-Headed Blackbirds (and at least one female)--the former calling attention to themselves with their golden heads and breasts, less-than-melodious birdcalls, and frequent sparring matches with the more familiar Red-Winged Blackbird males in the marshes of Iona Island.

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

Striking Yellow-Headed Blackbird in the Marsh

This is my second visit to Surrey's Elgin Heritage Park, and I really wished to see a Golden-Crowned Kinglet again, my first photos of it on a deciduous tree being nothing but blurs. My wish was granted with one of several accomplished singers in a giant fir tree, a high-energy, multi-tasking (being able to sing, and flit from branch to branch while hunting for insects) Golden-Crowned Kinglet, who nevertheless proved to be a challenging subject to capture.

Cute Kinglet Songbird Causes Stir in the Fir

This is how birders get together to do lunch!

Seafood dining at its best! One of five Black Oystercatchers we spotted on a windy, cloudy day at the Tsawwassen Ferry Jetty over the Great Backyard Bird Count 2017 (Feb 17-20) weekend. The fishing (clamming?) was good ... these shorebirds were hauling in clam after clam after clam!

This photo was the 1st Place Winner in the Behavior Category of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's 2017 Great Backyard Bird Count Photo Contest (see this Bird Canada article here https://birdcanada.com/are-you-in-the-gbbc)

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

Stunning Black Oystercatcher Shorebird with Clam

An adult Bald Eagle flies into the sunset at the Wireless 40 Station in Ladner, British Columbia. We saw 40-50 Bald Eagles (a conservative estimate) of various ages in this area in late December 2016--most were roosting high in the tops of trees scattered through this dog park. Features inspirational quote "may dreams give you wings to soar new skies".

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

Inspirational Bald Eagle in Winter Sunset Flight

Coyly flashing the photographer an enigmatic Mona Lisa smile while looking the supreme picture of calm and serenity, this Peking Duck (one of three escapees) preens its snow white feathers leisurely on the waters of a very busy Burnaby Lake/Piper Spit in late January 2019.

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

Peking Duck Smiling a Mona Lisa Smile in the Sun

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

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

A most enchanting discovery in the California Lilac on the front lawn in mid-April 2017-- a young female Rufous Hummingbird, guarding "her" nectar feeder and gaining some protection from this large, cage-like bush. These migratory hummingbirds spend their spring and summer "vacation" in the Pacific Northwest, and, although smaller than the resident Anna's hummingbirds, are far feistier, often chasing the latter out of their territories for the duration of their five-month stay in the Northern Hemisphere.

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

Rufous Hummingbird Sitting in the California Lilac

Add a touch of nature to the kitchen or dining room with this wildlife-themed sandstone coaster. Perfect for bird lovers!

Normally, I’d prefer not to show photos with cages, but it’s less distracting in the case of these subjects because of my distance from both them and the bars. This gorgeous pair of Golden Eagles is being rehabilitated at the Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society (O.W.L.) for eventual release back into the wild.

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

Vignetted Golden Eagles Birds of Prey Coaster

Mid-autumn brings the return of Buffleheads to the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary. While one or two of these diminutive ducks will partake of the birdseed thrown in the water, the rest generally keep their distance from humans and the other duck species.
 
Based on the original photography of W.H. Sim. All Rights Reserved. See more at zazzle.com/walkswithnature

Male Bufflehead in the Afternoon Sun

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

Adorable Rufous Hummingbird on Branch

Add a touch of nature to your coffee, tea, or favourite hot drink with this floral-themed mug, which features a trio of yellow and pink daylilies isolated on a black background. Photographed in mid-July 2018 at a private garden at sunset. 

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

Elegant Trio of Yellow Pink Daylilies Floral Mug

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

A stunning medley of primulas, these bicolor, early spring blooming beauties beckoned me with their dazzlingly vivid palettes of reds, pinks, purples, and yellows.

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

Colorful Springtime Floral Medley of Primulas Jigsaw Puzzle

Meet Ela, Teddy's high-maintenance girlfriend. Unlike him, she is an attention-seeking sweetie, and her fur is the picture of perfection. Meeting you at the gates isn't enough; this dainty, but seldom still Pomeranian will make sure that you dole out scratches and cuddles to her as often as possible, which is all the time. 

She is the happiest when she's the center of everyone's attention, which is also all the time. This has made her My Little Shadow on many occasions, but she is nimble enough to not actually get underfoot and become a speed bump.

Every time I tried to get closer to her or crouch down to take a photo at her level, she would start walking towards me (to the amusement of all her human cohorts).

Adorable Pomeranian Dog

Add a touch of nature to your golf game with this floral-themed club head cover!

This stunning bearded iris germanica amazed me with a multi-colored splendor of red, yellow, and white. Photographed in early June 2017.

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

Striking Yellow-Headed Blackbird in the Marsh

Striking Yellow-Headed Blackbird in the Marsh

More from Walks with Nature

Other personalized gifts from various stores