A closeup of a gorgeous young male Golden Eagle, who immediately proved restless and eager to fly free from his handler and exhibitor. My first encounter with this species.

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

Vision of a Beautiful Young Golden Eagle Hip Flask

An adorable Black-Capped Chickadee looks longingly at the food presented in two different hands, and wonders if it should go for sunflower seeds from hand A or hand B. Decisions, decisions.  

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

Cute Hopeful Black-Capped Chickadee Songbird Hip Flask

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 Hip Flask

This male Pekin Robin decided to satisfy his curiosity of the approaching humans, and flew into a large tropical tree to observe us from under the large leafy cover. Our initial encounter was all too brief and disappointing, but this second meeting yielded the opportunity to study this wonderfully dressed and beautiful singer in much greater detail and length. Our subject must have noticed this, as he was unusually still and not hopping from branch to branch!

An Indian subcontinent native, this Old World babbler is so popular that many other countries want to claim it for their own, and so, it goes by other aliases, including Pekin Robin, Pekin nightingale, Japanese hill robin, and Japanese nightingale. 

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

Colorful Leiothrix / Pekin Robin Songbird Hip Flask

My second encounter with a male Mountain Bluebird. We are gifted, albeit very briefly, with the presence of these beautiful songbirds at the start of the spring season before they head to higher ground to breed. Those stunning cerulean colors stand out on a dreary landscape, even from a distance. When he wasn't busy diving for insects on the local beach, he was highpointing it on driftwood and stalks of dessicated tansy. Photographed at Boundary Bay Regional Park in early spring 2017.

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

Beautiful Mountain Bluebird on the Tansy Hip Flask

One can't help but notice Blue and Gold Macaws. There's nothing dull about the plumage or the personality of this extremely sociable and long-lived parrot. Definitely a bird who knows how to drum up an audience on a moment's notice!

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

Beautiful Blue and Gold Macaw Flask

Sanderlings are tiny -- and surprisingly, quite approachable -- migratory shorebirds which can be easily found on Vancouver beaches in the coldest winter months. This one was strolling quite leisurely on the shoreline. Photographed on a very sunny and busy winter afternoon at Boundary Bay Regional Park.

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

Cute Sanderling Sandpiper Wanders Winter Shores Hip Flask

Marigolds aren't just eye candy; they've been used for culinary (teas, salads) and medicinal (anti-inflammatory) purposes for hundreds of years in European cultures. These beautiful, aromatic and showy blooms bloom all summer long into fall and even until the first frost. They are a natural mosquito repellent, and may also keep flower munchers like deer from the pride and joy in your garden. Photographed in mid June and mid July 2016 at local public and private gardens.

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

A Medley of Red Yellow and Orange Marigolds Hip Flask

Those tiny, low-growing yellow flowers known as Creeping Gold Buttons, or Cotula Tiffindell Gold, add a touch of color to summer gardens. As drought-resistant perennials, these South African natives make superb groundcover and keep weeds at bay. Photographed in July 2016 at the UBC Botanical Gardens.

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

Creeping Gold Buttons Cotula Tiffindell Gold Flowe Postcard

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

Fall migration in the Pacific Northwest is a great way to get close encounters with stunning shorebirds like the normallly reticent and camera-shy Killdeer. Photographed in early September 2018.

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

Beautiful Killdeer at the Beach Jigsaw Puzzle

This pose is the cat's meow! This neighbourhood cat has been very neighbourly since summer 2014 ... visiting regularly for her dose of birdwatching, cuddles, and saucer of milk. Here she is, posing next to the camellia leaves on a wet and gloomy day.

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

The Cat and the Camellia Classic Round Sticker

American Wigeons are a common sight in Metro Vancouver from fall through spring, but they disappear for the summer to cooler shores. With 40 more members of his flock, I spotted this handsome fellow wandering the local beach in the late winter of 2015--an odd sight, since they tend to be seen on water or land, but not sand!

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

An American Wigeon on the Beach

Hold the winning "wild" card with these nature-themed playing cards! Here's lookin' at you, kid! My first face-to-face meeting with a curious Barn Swallow at Richmond's historic Scotch Pond, the spring-through-fall choice of nesting sites for these intrepid flyers and insects hunters. Based on the original photography of W.H. Sim. All Rights Reserved. See more at zazzle.com/walkswithnature

Trading Stares with a Barn Swallow Poker Cards

Use this whimsical, wildlife-themed tile to protect delicate surfaces, tables, and countertops from hot pots, or as accent pieces for the dining room, kitchen, or anywhere else in the home!

I'll bet you've never seen a photo like this before! My closest--almost eye-to-eye--encounter with a magnificent male Pileated Woodpecker, who was busy carving out a hole at the base of a very tall tree. Rather than be spooked by the presence of a photographer nearby, this largest of North American woodpeckers would stop briefly to see who was rustling the dead arbutus tree leaves on the forest floor (I could not keep quiet as the leaves crunched under my feet, even though I tried my hardest), and then resume his woodworking activities. He ignored me for the most part, though! Photographed on Galiano Island in the early evening of July 3, 2017.

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

Stunning Portrait of Pileated Woodpecker on Tree Ceramic Tile

Give special items and keepsakes pride of place with this elegant, outdoors-themed trinket tray. 

I witnessed a beautiful moment of friendship between these two gorgeous chestnut horses. Were they mother and child; siblings; or simply stablemates? It didn't matter what their relationship to each other was. The importance was the now of the moment. Not even a nicker did I hear pass between them; the simple act of touching spoke volumes for both.

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

Vision of a Beautiful Young Golden Eagle Hip Flask

Vision of a Beautiful Young Golden Eagle Hip Flask

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