 William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the beauty, design and wonder of God’s creation. -- "What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at Your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations." Psalms 104 The Message  Large Eastern Hercules Beetle, Dynastes tityus, on a leaf. A species of rhinoceros beetle in the Eastern United States. Large horns, green shell with spots. Photographed in Walton County, Georgia USA. June 30, 2020. His thick green shell scarred with the signs of a brutal conflict, the giant beetle lay dead. Who knows how long he fought before being vanquished by the rival that disappeared into the night with the mate that the conquered had hoped to win.  Large Eastern Hercules Beetle, Dynastes tityus, in the palm of a hand. A species of rhinoceros beetle in the Eastern United States. Large horns, green shell with spots. Photographed in Walton County, Georgia USA. June 30, 2020. I couldn’t help but notice this massive beetle on the sidewalk outside the back door of my office. I posed him for a few photographs and uploaded him onto iNaturalist to discover the identity of my find: an Eastern Hercules Beetle. With its large pronotal and clypeal horns, Dynastes tityus is fittingly classified into the “rhinoceros beetle” family. Both its common name and scientific name steeped in mythology. No doubt a reference to the beetle’s size, Tityus was a Greek giant that was so large he split his mother’s womb. And Hercules is, of course, known to most of us as the Greek strongman who fought many battles, or labours. In similar feats of strength, there are many short videos on the internet of Hercules Beetles battling it out with each other.  Large Eastern Hercules Beetle, Dynastes tityus, on a leaf. A species of rhinoceros beetle in the Eastern United States. Large horns, green shell with spots. Photographed in Walton County, Georgia USA. June 30, 2020. Interestingly, the following morning I found another dead one about ten feet from where I found the first. Since they are reported to be active primarily in the pre-dawn hours, my imagination conjures scenes of battle campaigns between these horned brutes while the rest of us sleep. The only evidence of their nocturnal warfare is the carnage of vanquished foes that lie dead from exhaustion on our sidewalks.
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William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the beauty, design and wonder of God’s creation. -- "What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at Your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations." Psalms 104 The Message  Eastern Black Ratsnake, Pantherophis alleghaniensis, coiled to strike inside a kitchen sink inside a home in Georgia, USA. Pantherophis alleghaniensis is a common snake found in the eastern United States. Photographed by William Wise Photography in Walton County, Georgia USA on June 30, 2020. What do you do when you reach toward your kitchen sink and realize it isn’t the spayer nozzle hose coiled up around the knobs? Well, after your finished screaming in panic, you call animal control! This lovely Ratsnake made its way into credit union office in Walton County, Georgia. After a few photos, it was removed and released in a less populated area. Although I haven’t run the statistics, Ratsnakes are at least 80% of the calls we receive to remove snakes from homes. So if you find one coiled up and ready to strike inside your own home, remember, other than giving you a heart attack, ratsnakes are harmless to humans. Instead of chopping it up, call your local animal control or nuisance wildlife remover first.  Eastern Black Ratsnake, Pantherophis alleghaniensis, coiled to strike inside a kitchen sink inside a home in Georgia, USA. Pantherophis alleghaniensis is a common snake found in the eastern United States. Photographed by William Wise Photography in Walton County, Georgia USA on June 30, 2020.  Eastern Black Ratsnake, Pantherophis alleghaniensis, coiled to strike inside a kitchen sink inside a home in Georgia, USA. Pantherophis alleghaniensis is a common snake found in the eastern United States. Photographed by William Wise Photography in Walton County, Georgia USA on June 30, 2020.  Eastern Black Ratsnake, Pantherophis alleghaniensis, coiled to strike inside a kitchen sink inside a home in Georgia, USA. Pantherophis alleghaniensis is a common snake found in the eastern United States. Photographed by William Wise Photography in Walton County, Georgia USA on June 30, 2020.  Eastern Black Ratsnake, Pantherophis alleghaniensis, Photographed by William Wise Photography in Walton County, Georgia USA on June 30, 2020. I want to thank Lee's Birdwatching Adventures for guest posting this blog! Lee's website is about birding from a Christian perspective and has years of articles and content from Lee and other creationists and birders.  William Wise's Creation Speaks is a Biblical teaching ministry that uses nature writing and photography to glorify our Creator and teach the truth of creation. -- “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?" Job 12:7-9 Psalm 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation  Female Northern Cardinal bird perched on a branch on the Trembling Earth Nature Trail in Stephen C Foster State Park. Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. March 9, 2020. “What kind of a bird is that?” a friend at church asked excitedly while pointing toward a nearby tree. It was just a typical female Northern Cardinal, yet I experienced a spark of joy as I provided the answer! Not because a cardinal is an overly exciting bird, but simply because someone asked me about a bird! Over time, things can become stale. When migration ends and we’re left with the usual summertime residents, birding can become boring. As our bird lists get longer, lifers are harder to come by and our joy wanes. In much the same way, our Christianity can also become lukewarm over time. The joy fades with the same Bible reading plan year after year; the same pastor standing in the pulpit Sunday after Sunday; the same few members doing all the work. Church activities become just another check box on the daily to-do list. Is that you? In the book Good Birders Still Don’t Wear White, bird guide Carlos A. Bethancourt gives us a clue how to break that boredom and restore joy: “When I see the joy and delight on the faces of the birders – some first-timers to the neotropics – I often think back to my first sighting of that species, and it’s nearly as exhilarating for me as if it were my lifer as well. My excitement is in the sharing.” The Lord Jesus commissioned us to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel.” This command wasn’t solely for the growth of the church, but for our own sakes! Jesus knows the exciting rejuvenation and joy that we’d experience in sharing the gospel. There is nothing better than stepping out in faith and sharing your testimony with a stranger to exhilarate your Christian walk. Has your Christianity become lukewarm, stale, or boring? The joy is in the sharing! Luke 15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. 
Rescue Furtography Blog is an animal shelter pet photography blog of dogs and cats photography for adoption at the animal control shelter.
Senior ten year old female Boxer dog outside with collar and leash. Cloudy eye cataracts and gray muzzle. Dog rescue pet adoption photography for humane society animal shelter. Stock sales support pet adoption website.
"Grace" was a sweet senior Boxer dog that was picked up stray by an animal control officer on June 17, 2020. No owner came to look for her and she was rescued by Atlanta Boxer Rescue on June 24, 2020. Jason and Anne made generous donation pledges to the rescue for saving her. A few days later we got a nice note from the rescue.
Hi Bill. Thanks for being patient with us on pulling Grace. Her foster reports she is a sweet girl and she settled in right away. I just wanted to let you know she has changed her name to Goose and her freedom ride was posted with that name. We appreciate all you do to help the animals in your care get into homes and rescues. Thanks. Rebecca 
Senior ten year old female Boxer dog outside with collar and leash. Cloudy eye cataracts and gray muzzle. Dog rescue pet adoption photography for humane society animal shelter. Stock sales support pet adoption website.
Senior ten year old female Boxer dog outside with collar and leash. Cloudy eye cataracts and gray muzzle. Dog rescue pet adoption photography for humane society animal shelter. Stock sales support pet adoption website.
Senior ten year old female Boxer dog outside with collar and leash. Cloudy eye cataracts and gray muzzle. Dog rescue pet adoption photography for humane society animal shelter. Stock sales support pet adoption website.
Senior ten year old female Boxer dog outside with collar and leash. Cloudy eye cataracts and gray muzzle. Dog rescue pet adoption photography for humane society animal shelter. Stock sales support pet adoption website.
Rescue Furtography Blog is an animal shelter pet photography blog of dogs and cats photography for adoption at the animal control shelter.
Female red merle spotted Redtick Coonhound with one blue eye and floppy ears outside on leash. Dog rescue pet adoption photography for waltonpets humane society animal shelter.
"Irene" was another sweet senior dog that came into the animal shelter this week. She had a nice red-ticked coat, long floppy years, and a stellar, single blue eye. She was picked up stray by an animal control officer on June 18, 2020. When no owner came looking for her, she was rescued by Second Chance Habitat on June 23, 2020. She was heartworm positive, but generous pledges from Becky, Nancy, Heidi, Adela, Cindy, Dana, Alice, Jason and Anne helped the rescue cover those costs. Thanks all!
Female Red tick Coonhound with one blue eye and floppy ears outside on leash. Dog rescue pet adoption photography for waltonpets humane society animal shelter. Stock sales support pet adoption website.
Happy female Red tick Coonhound with one blue eye and floppy ears outside on leash. Dog rescue pet adoption photography for waltonpets humane society animal shelter
Female Redtick Coonhound with one blue eye and floppy ears outside on leash. Dog rescue pet adoption photography for waltonpets humane society animal shelter.
Rescue Furtography Blog is an animal shelter pet photography blog of dogs and cats photography for adoption at the animal control shelter.
Lactating female mother dog. Tan Corgi Shepherd Chihuahua mixed breed dog outside on leash. Dog rescue pet adoption photography for humane society animal shelter. Stock sales support pet adoption website fees.
"Maggie Mae" was brought into the shelter on June 18, 2020. I would never have known it based on her sweet personality in the shelter, but the callers and responding animal control officer said she was being quite the pistol out on the streets. But it turns out she was probably defending her puppies which were somewhere in the neighborhood.
Later, when an officer went back to look for her puppies again, her owner came out and surrendered her to the officer. Thankfully, with the efforts of some citizens and police, Maggie was reunited with her puppies which were found in a crawl space under a nearby house. All went safely to Pup and Cat Co Rescue on June 22, 2020 and were sponsored by pledges to the rescue from Adela, Nancy, Jason, Becky and Anne. 
Lactating female mother dog. Tan Corgi Shepherd Chihuahua mixed breed dog outside on leash with bandanna on neck. Dog rescue pet adoption photography for humane society animal shelter. Stock sales support pet adoption website.
Lactating nursing puppies female mother dog. Tan Corgi Shepherd Chihuahua mixed breed dog outside on leash with bandanna. Happy dog wagging tail. Dog rescue pet adoption photography for humane society animal shelter. Stock sales support pet adoption website fees.
William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the beauty, design and wonder of God’s creation. -- "What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at Your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations." Psalms 104 The Message  Yellow Lance-leaved Coreopsis sunflower garden. Coreopsis lanceolata wildflower photography in Walton County, Georgia USA June 17, 2020. I love visiting the State Botanical Gardens in my home town of Athens, Georgia; the meandering paths, the cultivated beds and exotic botanicals. Yet, I love even a wild garden. Just a quick walk to the retention ponds behind my office hold a little patches of woods and wildflower meadows (if the mowers stay away long enough!). Even my own little backyard attracts birds, deer and a myriad of other passing creatures. - Overcast, low humidity and remarkably cool (59°F) for a mid-June morning in Georgia.  Eastern Phoebe perched in a green garden. Sayornis phoebe is a North American tyrant flycatcher bird. Photographed June 17, 2020 in Walton County, Georgia USA on morning birding photography hike.  Bright yellow female American Goldfinch perched on pine sapling. Spinus tristis is a North American songbird. Photographed June 17, 2020 in Walton County, Georgia USA on morning birding photography hike. William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the beauty, design and wonder of God’s creation. -- "What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at Your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations." Psalms 104 The Message An afternoon of birding from my parents' back patio in Greene County, Georgia, off Lake Oconee. Approx. 2.5 hours stationary and 45 minutes walking down to the lake. I want to thank Lee's Birdwatching Adventures for guest posting this blog! Lee's website is about birding from a Christian perspective and has years of articles and content from Lee and other creationists and birders. William Wise Photography’s Creation Speaks is a Biblical teaching ministry that uses nature writing and photography to glorify our Creator and teach the truth of creation. “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?" Job 12:7-9 “I feel like I’m beating my head against the wall.” Obviously, that’s an expression we use to describe a pointless pursuit that accomplishes nothing but pain. However, it is an action that a woodpecker does on purpose… and apparently by design!  Red-headed Woodpecker; Greene County, Georgia. June 13, 2020. “God’s plan for the world stands up, all his designs are made to last.” Psalm 33:12, The Message Sitting on my parent's back patio this afternoon, I marveled to watch two Red-headed Woodpeckers hammer away… chunks of bark and wood flying everywhere. I could only imagine how much my brain would be rattled if I were to try it myself. With all the concerns about concussions in high school and college athletes, it is clearly something humans weren’t designed to do. But that is not true of the woodpeckers. The ability to hammer on hard objects with the front of their face is undoubtedly designed by a Creator. In Unlocking the Mysteries of Creation, Dennis Peterson writes, “The woodpecker is totally different from other birds. Every part of his body is especially fitted for drilling into wood.” The woodpecker’s beak alone is designed for the job. It is harder than that of other birds, and the base of the bill is fitted with a shock-absorbing tissue not found in some other species. To go along with a beak designed for drilling, the woodpecker has a specialized tongue. Fashioned to fit into those freshly drilled holes, the woodpecker’s tongue is four times longer than the beak and wraps around the back of the bird’s skull!
The tail, legs and claws are also specialized designs to help the woodpecker hold in place during his jack-hammer feeding sessions. And a keen sense of smell helps the woodpecker determine the precise drilling point to maximize the chance of excavating an insect. All these wonderfully engineered traits could only come about by design. Partially evolved traits in a primitive ancestor would only result in broken beaks and a lot of headaches! These features are obviously designed to the woodpecker’s advantage and keep it from pointlessly beating his head against the wall! William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the beauty, design and wonder of God’s creation. -- "What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at Your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations." Psalms 104 The Message  Female nesting Painted Turtle, Chrysemys picta, laying eggs. Photographed in Walton County, Georgia, United States; June 12, 2020. On a mid-morning walk I came across a beautiful Painted Turtle in the midst of digging a nest to lay her eggs. She was up on some dryer ground at the edge of the beaver wetlands. Her mud-covered, brown shell blended in so well with the dirt and leaf litter that I nearly stepped on her. Chrysemys picta digs her nest with her rear feet while moistening the ground with water from her bladder. The entire process of digging and laying the eggs reportedly can up to four hours. I backed off a bit and used my long lens in order to not disturb her long labor. - Walton County, Georgia   Female nesting Painted Turtle, Chrysemys picta, laying eggs. Photographed in Walton County, Georgia, United States; June 12, 2020.   Cute fluffy female gray tabby kitten with long whiskers, four months old. Humane society animal shelter pet adoption photo. Cat rescue. Stock sales support animal adoption website. Summertime is upon us and kitten season is in full swing. In just a matter of hours the shelter can receive well over 15 kittens. Finding homes for them all is always a challenge. But thankfully there are a few local rescues that are bailing out the shelter kitties. "KitKat" and "Kelly" were from a litter of five that were rescued by Altered Feral State rescue on June 12, 2020.  Male brown tabby striped kitten, four months old. Humane society animal shelter pet adoption photo. Cat rescue. Stock sales support animal adoption website. William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the beauty, design and wonder of God’s creation. -- "What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at Your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations." Psalms 104 The Message  Least Tern; Walton County, Georgia. It certainly seems like summer on the pond here in Walton County. Dragonflies, turtles, and terns… Wait? Did you say tern? There aren’t any terns this far inland. That’s what I thought until I saw a long-winged bird lapping over the retention pond! Right away I knew I was seeing something different. I dumped my coffee and ran back to my office for my camera. I spent 45 minutes photographing it, attempting to get a few dive shots. At my current tern identification skill level (or lack thereof), I knew I'd need some help with its identification. I posted it on iNaturalist and emailed a prominant birder in the area. It was identified as a Least Tern and all were just as startled to see one so far inland... perhaps a Walton County record! I sat for 45 minutes watching and photographing. I made sure to get some landmark shots and video too! It got some real interesting comments and observations on iNaturalist too. - 81°F, Humidity 61%. Sunny, with a high near 87. West wind around 5 mph. William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the beauty, design and wonder of God’s creation. -- "What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at Your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations." Psalms 104 The Message  Giant Stag Beetle, Lucanus elaphus, is found in eastern North America. Lucanidae have large mandibles that resemble deer antlers. Photographed in Walton County, Georgia, United States; June 9, 2020. “I’m not much of a bug guy.” Yep, I said that. A few months back I made that statement when emailing a photographer friend. And he throws it back in my face in jest each time I post a new insect shot! However, I really can’t help it when these bugs keep crawling, flying or landing right in front of my lens! But what’s really bugging me is how much a new photography interest can cost.  Beautiful Widow Skimmer Dragonfly, Libellula luctuosa, near a pond in Walton County, Georgia. A common king skimmer found throughout the United States. June 5, 2020. I started off in the ‘90s as a reptile fanatic, mostly snakes and alligators. My 300mm lens was just fine for many years. Then in 2015, my eyes were opened to the world of birds. And, of course, I had to buy more equipment! I had to get that super-telephoto to give me the reach. And certainly I had to have more frames-per-second, so a higher end DSLR was “needed”.  Big brown Carolina Grasshopper, Dissosteira carolina, is one of the largest grasshoppers in North America. Also called Carolina Locust, Black-winged grasshopper, or Road Duster. Grasshoppers and locusts may cause farm crop damage and impact agricultural industry. Photographed in Georgia USA. So I’m sure if this “bug photography” stuff continues, I’ll be looking to buy more macro-lenses and whatever else might go along with insect photography. Then what’s next? Drones? Camera traps? But hey, other hobbies can be just as expensive, right?!  Giant Stag Beetle, Lucanus elaphus, is found in eastern North America. Lucanidae have large mandibles that resemble deer antlers. Photographed in Walton County, Georgia, United States; June 9, 2020.  Giant Stag Beetle, Lucanus elaphus, is found in eastern North America. Lucanidae have large mandibles that resemble deer antlers. Photographed in Walton County, Georgia, United States; June 9, 2020.  Giant Stag Beetle, Lucanus elaphus, is found in eastern North America. Lucanidae have large mandibles that resemble deer antlers. Photographed in Walton County, Georgia, United States; June 9, 2020.  Waltonpets Furtography Blog is an animal shelter pet photography blog of dog photography and cat photography at the Walton County Animal Control Shelter in Monroe, Georgia.  Happy brindle Dutch Shepherd and Akita mix breed dog. Adoption rescue photography for humane society animal shelter. Please don't steal my images. Stock photo sales support waltonpets.net adoption website annual fees. ©www.williamwisephoto.com "Amber" was a happy Akita and Ductch Shepherd mix (that's a guess!) that was brought to the animal shelter as a stray on June 2, 2020. No owner came to claim her and she was adopted into a new home on June 9. Her wonderful adopter sent an update: Hey there, thought y’all might like to see how this girl is doing. She's been great! My little boy loves her and she is very good with him. We will be working on socializing her with other dogs. Took her to the vet only thing wrong was she has a pretty bad ear infection. But no worries, with some medicine she will be just fine. Thank y’all again. Crystal  Happy brindle Dutch Shepherd and Akita mix breed dog. Adoption rescue photography for humane society animal shelter. Please don't steal my images. Stock photo sales support waltonpets.net adoption website annual fees. ©www.williamwisephoto.com I want to thank Lee's Birdwatching Adventures for guest posting this blog! Lee's website is about birding from a Christian perspective and has years of articles and content from Lee and other creationists and birders. Creation Speaks is a Biblical teaching ministry that uses nature writing and photography to glorify our Creator and teach the truth of creation. “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?" Job 12:7-9  The Gambel`s quail, Callipepla gambelii, is a small ground-dwelling bird. It inhabits the desert regions of Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Texas, and Sonora. Photographed in Sweetwater Wetlands Park, a reclaimed wastewater treatment facility managed for wildlife habitat in Tucson, Arizona. It is a stream riparian oasis in the southwestern desert. Photographed in June 2018. Isaiah 35:5-7 “Blind eyes will be opened, deaf ears unstopped, Lame men and women will leap like deer, the voiceless break into song. Springs of water will burst out in the wilderness, streams flow in the desert. Hot sands will become a cool oasis, thirsty ground a splashing fountain. Even lowly jackals will have water to drink, and barren grasslands flourish richly.” In the midst of dry, heat-baked Tucson, Arizona there is a lush, green, water-filled oasis. This birding and wildlife hotspot is called Sweetwater Wetlands. Over 300 species of birds have been listed in this riparian paradise. Having visited three times, I was amazed at the number of birds and other critters that can be spotted in under an hour. It is a place of refuge and provision, even as the Arizona heat soars above 100 degrees. Sweetwater Wetlands is a man-made wetland created from reclaimed waste water that is pumped into a series of pools and streams. Willows and Cottonwoods provide shade and perches; a thick green, organic covering lies over the water’s surface; gravel paths circumnavigate the cattail, bulrush and willow lined ponds. Based upon the number of bird species, and the number of birders that visit the park, it is a welcoming habitat for all.  American Coot, Fulica americana, on nest in cattail and duckweed pond. Also known as a mud hen. Though commonly mistaken to be ducks, American coots belong to a distinct order. Sweetwater Wetlands is a reclaimed wastewater treatment facility managed for wildlife habitat in Tucson, Arizona. Photographed in June 2018. Even we humans need a welcoming refuge! History has always had its ups and downs; from times of prosperity to periods of drought and devastation. The United States alone, in its relatively brief history of existence, has fought in over 120 wars! And on the personal level, our lives can be filled with the vacillations of economic hardships, medical issues, and relationship dramas. It is for this reason that Jesus spoke the words, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
But just like the man-made desert oasis provided by Sweetwater Wetlands, there is a God-made oasis in the parched desert of this world: that oasis is the church! Through all the riot and uproar of the centuries, the church has always stood as a beacon and refuge for ailing humanity. Like the reclaimed wastewater of Sweetwater, the church is filled with men and women whose once wasted lives have been redeemed, repurposed, and renewed by the blood of the Lamb! As the nations rage and people plot in vain (Psalms 2), the church cannot be silent. We must stand together, as the church as has always stood, and welcome the weary into the refuge of the Great Shepherd, Jesus Christ. Only Jesus can quench the thirst of hurting man in this world, and in the world to come. |
 All content is ©williamwisephoto.com. Please don't steal images. My images are available at dreamstime.com. Stock sales go into the shelter photography program.
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In December 1993 I came to know the Designer and Creator of this wonderful planet and its creatures: Jesus Christ.
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Donations help support the animal shelter adoption photography equipment and adoption website hosting and domain fees. Thanks for your support!
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