Personalized Gifts

 Crafts & Party Supplies

 Gift Wrapping Supplies

 Stickers

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 Classic Round Sticker

I so rarely get the opportunity to photograph female Bushtits. As both genders possess the small greyish/brownish plumage, shape, and size, the golden-colored eyes of the ladies are what distinguish them from the gents. This little lady stopped eating for a few seconds to stare straight into my lens and look into my heart.

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

Female Bushtit in the Pear Tree Classic Round Sticker

Looking deceptively like a baby duck, this full grown Bufflehead hen struck the perfect pose for me at one of the inner ponds at the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary. Curious "sentries" like this one will often detach themselves from the flock to satisfy their curiosity about those lenses pointed in their direction. I really doubt it's for the birdseed, unless we have discovered one with a sudden taste for them. :) 

There was just enough afternoon sunlight left to reflect the blue skies in the waters, paint a catchlight in this Bufflehead's eyes, and cast a soft glow on her face. 

With fall giving way to winter in just another week, we are seeing more and more of these tiny diving seaducks -- but always in small groups that tend to stay in waters far, far from human view. Though not skittish like Hooded Mergansers tend to be, I have yet to see a single Bufflehead set a webbed toe on land.

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

Sweet Bufflehead Duck on Sunlit Waters Classic Round Sticker

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 Classic Round Sticker

This male Tree Swallow appears to be quite taken with this particular nestbox ... that look says "mine, all mine." Photographed in late March 2016. 

These small bluebirds have shown up almost a month later than last year, and the initial flocks are much smaller, too. 

Also absent at this time are the greyer females, which at the same time last year were already here. Nevertheless, it's still a wonderful experience to see these little birds in action over the water and in the skies.

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

Tree Swallow Songbird in a Nestbox Classic Round Sticker

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

Green Frog Strikes a Pose on the Hose Classic Round Sticker

Add a touch of nature to your living room with this wildlife-themed decorative plate! 

An early morning walk brings us unexpectedly face to face with the normally distant and hard to photograph Killdeer. This is the mother-to-be.

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

Closeup of a Killdeer Classic Round Sticker

A dark, overcast day lends a painting-like effect to my photo of this Chestnut-Backed Chickadee, who was perched on one of the fruit trees in our backyard and in no particular hurry to nab a seed from the hanging feeding stations.

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

Cute Chestnut-Backed Chickadee Songbird in Tree Classic Round Sticker

Getting My Ducks in a Row: Four Buffleheads Trinket Tray

Getting My Ducks in a Row: Four Bufflehead Ducks Canvas Print

Getting My Ducks in a Row: Four Buffleheads Acrylic Print

Getting My Ducks in a Row: Four Buffleheads Jigsaw Puzzle

Getting My Ducks in a Row: Four Buffleheads Bathroom Mat

As Buffleheads don't congregate in large flocks (4 is generally the maximum) but do keep their distance from humans and potential predators (with the exception of the odd sentry, who investigates all comings and goings of creatures other than itself), it was a pleasant surprise to see both conventions broken in early December 2016, when we spotted a flock of 30 at one of the local ponds, swimming very close to the edge of the pond -- and even anticipating handouts of birdseed! Clearly, these seaducks have become accustomized to the presence of creatures like us! 

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

WWN A Fantastic Foursome of Buffleheads

Beautiful Harlequin Duck on the Rock Golf Head Cover

Beautiful Harlequin Duck on the Rock Mini Binder

Beautiful Harlequin Duck on the Rock Hip Flask

Beautiful Harlequin Duck on the Rock Beer Stein

Beautiful Harlequin Duck on the Rock Adult Cloth Face Mask

One of a dozen of Harlequin Ducks I had the fortune of meeting at the beach, and my closest encounter with these diving sea ducks. Interestingly, all were adult males in near or full breeding plumage and showing off their slate grey, white, and rich cinnamon feathers, but there were no ladies of their own kind to impress. Photographed on the first full day of spring 2017.

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

WWN Harlequin Duck on the Rocks

Add a touch of nature to the bathroom with this floral-themed bath mat!  

Strikingly colored winterberries have already ripened by late fall at the Boundary Bay Wildlife Management Area in Delta, British Columbia, Canada. One can't help but be dazzled by the scarlet masses of this deciduous holly tree, which keep their crimson hues all the way through winter (if they haven't already been eaten by birds).

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

Bright Red Winterberries Holly Tree Berries Bath Mat

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

My second visit to the Maplewood Conservation Area in North Vancouver produced meetings with not two, but six blacktail deer in a clearing ... four fawns and two does who seemed completely at ease with the small group of photographers in their midst. The younger ones seemed almost as curious about the humans as we were about them! This fawn was extremely happy to be alive, bounding in a very Bambi-esque manner through the forest! Photographed in late August 2016.

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

Vignetted Portrait of Smiling Blacktail Deer Fawn  Jigsaw Puzzle

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

An almost perfectly camouflaged female Great Horned Owl attempts to catch some shuteye in the neighbor's 100-foot Douglas Fir on a rainy fall day, only to be subjected to the verbal and physical harangues of nine Northwestern Crows. After three hours, they finally left her to her beauty sleep. Photographed on November 13, 2016.

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

Great Horned Owl in the Douglas Fir Mouse Pad

Enjoy the elegant, pitcher-like blossoms of the hardy calla lily. These flowers symbolize beauty, strength, innocence, and renewal. Photographed in the summer of 2016.

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

Elegant Gold and Crimson Calla Lilies Ceramic Knob

A royal blue and charcoal grey color scheme and solid all-caps fonts add visibility, ease of readability, and a professional touch to this registered therapy animal patch. Font type and font colors can be modified as desired. 

Note: This design is optimized for this particular shape. 
Note: This patch is the companion piece to the photo ID badge: zazzle.com/blue_registered_therapy_animal_custom_photo_id_badge-256593698274226210

© W.H. Sim. All Rights Reserved. See more at zazzle.com/walkswithnature

Striking Yellow-Headed Blackbird in the Marsh Classic Round Sticker

Striking Yellow-Headed Blackbird in the Marsh Classic Round Sticker

More from Walks with Nature

Other stickers from various stores