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My second visit to the Maplewood Conservation Area in North Vancouver produced meetings with not two, but six blacktail deer in a forest clearing ... four fawns and two does who seemed completely at ease with the small group of photographers in their midst. This is one of the two deer families ... a doe with her first year and second year fawns. Photographed in late August 2016.

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

Stunning Trio of Blacktail Deer in the Forest Magnet

An alternative view of a month-old Sandhill Crane chick/colt. Even one of the largest bird species in North America starts life as a small chick. My first encounter with this colt happened just a few days after it hatched in the third week of May 2016 at the Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, where its parents are long-term residents. Although mom and dad can put up a formidable defense against potential predators, thanks to their long, sharp bills and powerful legs, losses still can happen in the first month of its life. This was the only chick to survive to that important milestone in Metro Vancouver in 2016. Photographed in the third week of June.

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

Portrait of a Sandhill Crane Colt Magnet

The first full day of snow in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, saw many fluffed up songbirds in the backyard perched on the fruit trees for most of the day, including at least two Cassiar Dark-Eyed Juncos (an intergrade of Slate-Colored and Oregon varieties), like this chubby little number here.  Photographed on December 9, 2016.

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 Magnet

A presumed hobby farm escapee, this adult male Mandarin Duck has been seen in the company of the Wood Ducks of Piper Spit. He has called Burnaby Lake home since he was first spotted in 2018. His stunning pastiche of ruffs, dazzling color palette, and "fins" make him such a dreamboat to photograph. Mother Nature left nothing to the artist's imagination when she made this creature! Photographed at Burnaby Lake in early March 2020.

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

Beautiful Chatty Mandarin Duck at the Pond Magnet

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.

Cute Bufflehead Duck on Sunlit Waters 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

Also known by their other aliases of "Red Star" and "Rosy Posy" (my favourite), I found a bed of these small but hardy South African perennials flourishing in one of our local public gardens. Summer brings forth bright pink star-shaped flowers with their telltale hidden hearts -- low growing plants that make great ground cover.

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

Rhodohypoxis / Red Star / Rosy Posy 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

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

Use these wildlife-themed tiles to protect delicate surfaces, tables, and countertops from hot pots, or as accent pieces for the dining room or kitchen.

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 Ceramic Tile

A Bald Eagle Takes to the Sky Wall Decal

Breathtaking Bald Eagle in Flight Leggings

Breathtaking Bald Eagle in Flight Post-it Notes

A Bald Eagle Takes to the Sky Tie

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

WWN Breathtaking Bald Eagle Takes to the Sky

Add a touch of nature to the living room, bedroom, or any room in your home with this elegant, wildlife-themed throw! 

A presumed hobby farm escapee, this adult male Mandarin Duck has been seen in the company of the Wood Ducks of Piper Spit. He has called Burnaby Lake home since he was first spotted in 2018. His stunning pastiche of ruffs, dazzling color palette, and "fins" make him such a dreamboat to photograph. Mother Nature left nothing to the artist's imagination when she made this creature! Photographed at Burnaby Lake in early March 2020.

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

Beautiful Mandarin Duck at the Pond Lumbar Pillow

Part brainteaser, part assemble-it-yourself art, this challenging, wildlife-themed puzzle is great for improving muscle memory. This male Downy Woodpecker announced himself quite vocally with a trademark chip-chip-chip repertoire just before making an appearance on this dead tree. He proceeded to peck away at his perch, oblivious of the solitary camera lens trained on him and the many walkers on the trail.

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

Cute Downy Woodpecker Bird on Branch Jigsaw Puzzle

Add a touch of nature to the living room with this floral-themed lampshade cover. 

Wax begonias are popular flowers and long-lasting summertime perennials. The gardener who planted these white, pink, and red varieties had a great eye for color and layout! Photographed in late August 2016 on the outskirts of the UBC Botanical Garden.

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

Colorful Wax Begonias Pendant Lamp

Add a touch of nature and elegance to the bedroom or living room with this floral-themed throw. 

Tulips come in many colours, but these white-and-purple Flaming Flag Triumph tulips really broke the mould. Photographed in one of the flower beds at the top of an extinct volcano.

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

Stunning Trio of Blacktail Deer in the Forest Magnet

Stunning Trio of Blacktail Deer in the Forest Magnet

More from Walks with Nature

Other magnets from various stores