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

A White-Crowned Sparrow welcomes the day (and enchants its rapt listeners) with a simple but sweet song. As spring turns into summer, we see more and more of this beautiful songbird, who often forages solo, too.

A White-Crowned Sparrow Sings to the Sun

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

Beautiful Harlequin Duck on the Rock

Really, some birds have no shame. Photographed pillaging the hummingbird nectar feeder was this Black-Capped Chickadee, who looks mildly startled -- a priceless expression -- but that didn't stop it and a fellow partner in crime from chugging the sweet stuff like a pair of gluttons (once, in tandem!) Based on the original photography of W.H. Sim. All Rights Reserved. See more at zazzle.com/walkswithnature

Black-Capped Chickadee Caught Red-Handed

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

Metro Vancouver's second snowstorm of the winter season finally brought the lovely and much anticipated male Varied Thrush to my backyard, where he spent the greater part of the day excavating the white stuff for tasty grubs. With their dazzling palette of orange, grey, and black hues, this reclusive songbird is a welcome sight during the monochromatic winter months. Photographed in mid-February 2019.

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

Stunning Varied Thrush Songbird in the Snow

Cute Chestnut-Backed Chickadee Christmas Holiday

Cute Chestnut-Backed Chickadee Songbird

Wildlife and the magic of the holiday season go hand in hand, and finding this cute little songbird--a familiar sight in the Pacific Northwest--perched in one of the backyard fruit trees, proved irresistible. 

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

WWN Cute Chestnut-Backed Chickadee on the Pear Tree

I was privy to a very special moment in late May 2016 when I saw this Greater Sandhill Crane father, a veteran parent, searching for wood bugs with his 3-day-old colt. It's hard to believe that such a small creature could grow up into one of the largest bird species found in Metro Vancouver!

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

Greater Sandhill Crane Father and Child

Beautiful Varied Thrush Songbird on Snowy Ground Postcard

Beautiful Varied Thrush on the Snowy Ground Trinket Tray

Beautiful Varied Thrush Songbird in the Snow Jigsaw Puzzle

Beautiful Varied Thrush on the Snowy Ground Ceramic Tile

Beautiful Varied Thrush on the Snowy Ground Canvas Print

On a very memorable Boxing Day 2017, a dozen of these enchanting but highly reclusive songbirds were frequenting the trees and vocalizing near the Burnaby Lake Nature House at Piper Spit. None seemed particularly concerned about the presence of photographers, and I daresay some of the subjects even worked the cameras with their pretty poses!

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

WWN Beautiful Varied Thrush on the Snowy Ground

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

When you're this small and round, even watching you eat is a cute experience! Saw more of the tiny Sanderlings at the Boundary Bay Regional Park beach, just before Valentine's Day 2017. This one was foraging on the shoreline with 20 others of its kind, dining on the remnants of clams that had been already picked apart by gulls. 

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

Cute Sanderling Dines on Clam at Beach Pillar Candle

Add a splash of personality to your wrist with a wildlife-themed watch from the walkswithnature™ Watch the Birdie™ collection.  A curious and vocal Marsh Wren darts out of the reeds, long enough for me to snap his photo. Photographed on the shores of Surrey Lake Park in beautiful British Columbia, Canada.

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

A Marsh Wren in--Where Else?--the Marsh Watch

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

We've learned to improve the "mileage" of our anise hyssop nectar for thirsty hummingbirds ... just by adding a bamboo stake! ;) This is one of (at least) four Anna's hummingbirds who like to visit the recently opened flowers, and s/he struck a rather regal profile while drinking from the bar on an early evening in June 2018.

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

Anna's Hummingbird on Anise Hyssop Flowers Lumbar Pillow

A newly adult Canada Goose grooms itself at Piper Spit, Burnaby Lake, on a cloudy fall day, the angular and swan-like curve of its neck conveying an almost regal quality to this bird. Although migratory birds in many parts of the world, some Canada Geese are all-year-round residents in Metro Vancouver and the Pacific Northwest. Photographed in early November 2016.

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

Canada Goose on the Lake Magnet

Nothing says "you complete me" or "your better/other half" than these whimsical, wildlife-themed lovers' mugs. Eclectus Parrots are an instant hit, wherever you see them. While the males are (understandably, and expectedly), brightly coloured, with green plumage and candy-corn yellow beak, the females are just as colourful, with their striking red and cobalt blue feathers.

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

Eclectus Parrots Coffee Mug Set

Add a splash of personality to your wrist with a wildlife-themed watch from the walkswithnature™ Watch the Birdie™ collection.  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

Townsend's Solitaire on the Pyracantha

Townsend's Solitaire on the Pyracantha

More from Walks with Nature

Other personalized gifts from various stores