Personalized Gifts

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.

Townsend's Solitaire on the Pyracantha

Monkey Puzzle Trees (also known as Chilean pines) are common sights in Metro Vancouver homes and public gardens. The emanating and repeating star pattern and natural geometry of its leaves reminds me of a finished Solitaire game, when the cards are bouncing all over the place.

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

Stunning Chilean Pine Monkey Puzzle Tree

The perfect notecards for hummingbird lovers! This female Anna's hummingbird adds a bit of colour and personality to the backyard on a rainy day. She is quiet and stealthy--and can often materialize without making a sound. Contrast this behaviour with that of the male, who makes himself heard well before I see him. Photographed perching on the Scarlet Trumpet vine after furtively having several long sips from the new nectar feeder--which has also drawn the attention and interest of at least one Black-Capped Chickadee, too.

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

Anna's Hummingbird on the Scarlet Trumpetvine

In a cute moment highly reminiscent of another bushtit family gathering from 2016, three young songbird fledglings roost together in the sun-dappled shade of the pear tree, while parents and helpers (older siblings) pick grubs from the leaves nearby, while keeping up a steady stream of conversation. My young subjects were only too willing to oblige for my lens. Photographed in late May 2020.

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

Cute Baby Bushtit Songbirds in the Pear Tree Card

Easily recognizable from far away by their enormous bills, Northern Shovelers, although generally not skittish around humans, do keep themselves at a fair distance from spotting scopes and cameras, and frequent nearby bodies of water or sandbars. This fellow, on the other hand, was just inches from me, feeding just inches from the shore at the local wildlife habitat for quite a few moments before moving on.

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

Closeup of a Handsome Northern Shoveler Duck

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

A rather interesting top-down view of a Great Blue Heron at the local wildlife refuge. I've been spotted by my subject, but this efficient (and, at times, ruthless) fisher is in no hurry to move from its spot. Great Blue Herons are the most commonly seen herons in Metro Vancouver, and may be even spotted in ditches along highways and freeways.

A Top-Down View of a Blue Heron

An attractive raptor with a heart-shaped facial disc, the Barn Owl is gifted with extraordinary hearing — it can even hear the heartbeats of everyone in a 30 square foot room — and silent flight, which lets it descend on and capture rats and mice with extreme stealth. As nocturnal creatures, these endowments are critical when hunting in (sometimes) complete darkness.

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

A Serene and Beautiful Barn Owl

Add a touch of nature, warmth, and inspiration to any room with this floral-themed candle.

This particular cultivar of alstroemeria, or Peruvian lily, grows tall and looks great as flower bed plants. They are hardy, breathtaking perennials that bloom from late spring through early summer.

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

Lily of the Incas Yellow Alstroemeria Flowers Pillar Candle

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

Although this fierce-looking falcon looks very much like a Peregrine, it's actually a Gyr-Saker hybrid falcon. Falconers crossbreed both in captivity with the hopes of producing a hybrid with the best traits of both species: in this case, the stamina of the large Gyrfalcon with the speed of the Saker falcon.

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

Gyrfalcon Saker Hybrid Falcon Jigsaw Puzzle

Heartwarming Songbirds Family Christmas Holiday

Heartwarming Cute Bushtits Songbirds Family Photo Bath Towel Set

Inspirational Quote Family of Five Songbirds Metal Print

Heartwarming Cute Bushtits Songbirds Family Photo

Heartwarming Cute Bushtits Songbirds Family Photo Trinket Tray

Heartwarming Cute Bushtits Songbirds Family Photo Pillar Candle

They're back! On a surprisingly cold and rainy morning, two flocks of Bushtits (10 in each) flew in for brunch on the flowering carrot, butterfly bush, and California Lilac bush. Some took baths on the wet leaves, and these five guys were huddled on the plum tree for warmth. It was tricky trying to get the catchlight in everyone's eyes (and all of them facing the camera (more or less))--but without a doubt, these little birds are naturally and undeniably photogenic. Photographed in early July 2016 and featured on the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's allaboutbirds.org website.

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

WWN Heartwarming Family Portrait of Bushtit Babies

Add a touch of nature to your dining experience with this floral-themed placemat. 

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 Placemat

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

To me, this deer, the forest, and our unexpected encounter–far from cars, smartphones, skyscrapers, and the other trappings of human civilization–collectively symbolize the unadorned wonder, resilience, and fragility of nature. None of which I should ever take for granted.

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

Stunning Black-Tailed Deer in the Forest Tripod Lamp

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

Stunning Tree Swallow Songbird in Nestbox Keychain

What you choose to build anticipation of a gift with is just as important as the gift itself. This gift bag, which features a beautiful female Rufous hummingbird sipping blueberry blossom nectar in the spring, is perfect for nature lovers or children's birthday parties.

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

Townsend's Solitaire on the Pyracantha

Townsend's Solitaire on the Pyracantha

More from Walks with Nature

Other personalized gifts from various stores